CVE-2021-20488 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2021
IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.2 could allow an authenticated malicious user to change the passowrds of other users in the Windows AD enviornemnt when IBM Security Identity Manager Windows Password Synch Plug-in is deployed and configured. IBM X-Force ID: 197789.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2021
This vulnerability exists within IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.0.2 and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate user credentials in Active Directory environments. The issue specifically manifests when the IBM Security Identity Manager Windows Password Synchronization Plug-in is deployed and properly configured, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can leverage their authenticated access to perform unauthorized password changes against other users within the domain. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and validation mechanisms within the password synchronization component that fails to properly verify the identity of users attempting to modify credentials for accounts other than their own.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the password synchronization plug-in's failure to enforce proper authorization checks when processing password change requests. When an authenticated user accesses the synchronization functionality, the system does not adequately validate whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to modify the target account's password. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under the CWE-285 category of improper authorization checks. The flaw essentially allows for a form of account takeover where a malicious user can impersonate other users and modify their credentials without proper administrative privileges, potentially leading to complete domain compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access within the environment. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can change passwords for any user account within the Active Directory domain, including administrative accounts, effectively granting them unauthorized access to critical systems and data. This capability directly maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage compromised credentials to maintain access and expand their foothold. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on centralized identity management solutions, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of credential management and synchronization processes.
Organizations should immediately implement several mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the official IBM Security Identity Manager patches and updates released to address this specific flaw. Additionally, implementing strict network segmentation and access controls around the password synchronization components can help limit the potential attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and monitoring for unusual password change patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper principle of least privilege implementation and demonstrates how seemingly benign synchronization features can become attack vectors when not properly secured. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their identity management systems and ensure that all components undergo proper authorization validation before allowing credential modification operations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.