CVE-2021-20420 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2021
IBM Security Guardium 11.2 could disclose sensitive information due to reliance on untrusted inputs that could aid in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 196281.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
IBM Security Guardium version 11.2 contains a vulnerability that allows for sensitive information disclosure through improper handling of untrusted inputs. This weakness creates an avenue for attackers to potentially escalate their privileges and gain access to additional system resources. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to adequately validate and sanitize input parameters before processing them within the system's security framework. When untrusted data is accepted without proper verification mechanisms, it can lead to information exposure that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the protected environment. The flaw specifically impacts the Guardium system's ability to handle potentially malicious input that could be crafted to extract sensitive data from the application's memory or configuration files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common security weaknesses identified in the CWE database under category CWE-20, which encompasses "Improper Input Validation." This classification indicates that the system fails to properly validate input data before using it in security-sensitive operations. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs that could reveal database credentials, configuration details, or other sensitive operational information. The attack vector typically involves sending malformed or specially constructed input to the Guardium application interfaces, which then processes this unvalidated data without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially map the internal structure of the Guardium environment, identify additional attack surfaces, and gain insights into the organization's security infrastructure. This information disclosure capability significantly weakens the overall security posture by reducing the attacker's need for extensive reconnaissance phases. The vulnerability affects the system's ability to maintain proper security boundaries and can lead to cascading security failures if the disclosed information includes authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other critical security parameters.
Organizations using IBM Security Guardium 11.2 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, regular security assessments, and monitoring for anomalous input patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Regular patch management procedures should be enforced to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities and to maintain the integrity of the organization's security infrastructure.