CVE-2021-29682 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2021
IBM Security Identity Manager 7.0.2 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 199997
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2021
IBM Security Identity Manager version 7.0.2 contains a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through detailed error messages returned to remote attackers. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can significantly impact the security posture of the affected system. The vulnerability occurs when the application generates comprehensive technical error responses that include internal system details, stack traces, or configuration information that should remain hidden from external users. Such exposure provides attackers with valuable insights into the underlying architecture, component versions, and potential attack vectors that could be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the issue of error messages containing sensitive information. When the system encounters an error condition, it returns verbose diagnostic information that includes system paths, component names, version numbers, and potentially database connection details. This information disclosure creates a pathway for attackers to understand the application's internal structure and identify potential weaknesses in the security implementation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in a security product itself, meaning that the very system designed to protect against threats is inadvertently exposing information that could be used against it.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Remote attackers who can trigger the error condition can gather intelligence about the system configuration, which may reveal version-specific vulnerabilities, component dependencies, or implementation details that could be exploited in combination with other attack vectors. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other reconnaissance techniques, as it provides a direct source of internal system information that would otherwise require more time-consuming enumeration processes. The exposure of technical details in error messages can facilitate attacks such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise attempts that would otherwise be significantly more difficult to execute.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by configuring the application to return generic error messages to users while maintaining detailed logging for administrative purposes. The recommended approach involves implementing proper error handling mechanisms that sanitize error responses before they are transmitted to clients, ensuring that only minimal, non-sensitive information is exposed. This aligns with the principle of least privilege in security design and follows the ATT&CK framework's guidance on information gathering techniques. Additionally, organizations should review their logging configurations to ensure that detailed error information is properly captured and stored securely while being stripped from user-facing responses. Regular security assessments should include verification that error handling is properly configured and that no sensitive information is exposed through application responses. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing comprehensive input validation and error handling practices as part of secure software development lifecycle processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the security infrastructure.