CVE-2021-38869 in QRadar SIEM
Summary
by MITRE • 04/27/2022
IBM QRadar SIEM 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 in some situations may not automatically log users out after they exceede their idle timeout. IBM X-Force ID: 208341.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2022
IBM QRadar SIEM versions 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 contain a security vulnerability that affects session management and authentication controls. This vulnerability stems from the system's failure to properly enforce idle timeout mechanisms, allowing authenticated users to maintain active sessions beyond the configured inactivity thresholds. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the platform's access control implementation, particularly concerning session lifecycle management and user authentication persistence. According to CWE-613, this vulnerability aligns with inadequate session management practices that fail to properly terminate user sessions after defined periods of inactivity. The issue manifests when users exceed their configured idle timeout limits but the system does not automatically log them out, creating potential security risks through prolonged unauthorized access. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement within the SIEM environment. From an operational standpoint, the flaw creates opportunities for unauthorized individuals to exploit active sessions, particularly in shared or public workstations where users may step away from their systems. The vulnerability also presents risks during incident response scenarios where compromised credentials could remain active for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to the SIEM platform. The IBM X-Force ID 208341 further emphasizes the security implications of this session management weakness, which can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting and T1078 for valid accounts. Organizations using affected QRadar versions may experience unauthorized access to sensitive security data, log files, and analytical capabilities, as well as potential privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the SIEM environment, as unauthorized access could lead to data manipulation or disruption of security monitoring operations. This weakness particularly impacts environments where QRadar is used for critical security operations, as it undermines the trust model and authentication controls that are fundamental to security information and event management systems. The lack of automatic session termination creates a persistent risk that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors, especially in multi-user environments where session hijacking or credential theft could occur. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader access control and session management frameworks, as it directly impacts the security posture of their SIEM infrastructure. The flaw also has implications for compliance requirements, as proper session timeout mechanisms are often mandated by security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust session lifecycle management in security platforms and highlights the potential consequences of insufficient timeout enforcement in enterprise security tools. This weakness represents a failure to implement proper session invalidation procedures, which is critical for maintaining the security of privileged access within security monitoring environments. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability to ensure proper session termination and maintain the integrity of their SIEM access controls. The issue also underscores the need for regular security assessments of authentication mechanisms and session management features within security platforms. Proper implementation of session timeout controls is essential for protecting sensitive security data and maintaining the overall security effectiveness of SIEM environments. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of session management in security platforms and the potential risks associated with inadequate authentication controls. The flaw impacts the system's ability to enforce time-based access restrictions and maintain proper user accountability within the security monitoring environment.