CVE-2021-22506 in Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2021
Advance configuration exposing Information Leakage vulnerability in Micro Focus Access Manager product, affects all versions prior to version 5.0. The vulnerability could cause information leakage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-22506 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Micro Focus Access Manager, a comprehensive identity and access management solution designed to protect enterprise environments. This vulnerability specifically affects all versions of the product prior to the 5.0 release, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across multiple iterations of the software. The flaw resides in the advanced configuration components of the system, suggesting that it operates at a foundational level within the product's architecture rather than being a surface-level issue.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the advanced configuration interfaces of Micro Focus Access Manager. When users access or configure advanced settings, the system fails to adequately sanitize or protect sensitive information that may be exposed through various communication channels or data processing pathways. This information leakage occurs during normal operational procedures when administrators or authorized users interact with the product's advanced features, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where access manager systems handle critical authentication and authorization data.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-22506 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it potentially allows unauthorized parties to gain insights into the internal workings of the access management system. This could include sensitive configuration details, user authentication patterns, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in all pre-5.0 versions suggests that organizations relying on older iterations of Micro Focus Access Manager may have been unknowingly exposing sensitive data for extended periods. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to the attack surface defined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the information gathering and credential access phases where such information leakage could significantly enhance an attacker's capabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation efforts, including upgrading to version 5.0 or later of Micro Focus Access Manager where the issue has been addressed. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of the updated system to ensure that the information leakage vulnerability has been fully resolved. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough reviews of existing logs and monitoring systems to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to the patch deployment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses improper information exposure, and represents a clear violation of data protection principles that organizations must address through proper patch management and security monitoring protocols.