CVE-2023-1656 in OpenIDM
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability in ForgeRock Inc. OpenIDM and Java Remote Connector Server (RCS) LDAP Connector on Windows, MacOS, Linux allows Remote Services with Stolen Credentials.This issue affects OpenIDM and Java Remote Connector Server (RCS): from 1.5.20.9 through 1.5.20.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2023
The Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1656 represents a critical security flaw in ForgeRock Inc.'s OpenIDM platform and Java Remote Connector Server (RCS) LDAP Connector implementations. This vulnerability specifically impacts systems running on Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these identity management solutions. The flaw stems from the improper handling of sensitive data transmission processes within the connector framework, where authentication credentials and other confidential information are transmitted without adequate encryption or protection mechanisms. The vulnerability affects versions ranging from 1.5.20.9 through 1.5.20.13, indicating a targeted scope of affected releases that require immediate attention from security administrators and system operators.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission. The flaw occurs at the network communication layer where the LDAP connector fails to implement proper transport layer security measures when establishing connections to directory services. This weakness allows attackers positioned within the network to intercept and capture authentication tokens, passwords, and other sensitive data during transmission. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote attackers to exploit the cleartext communication channels without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors. The flaw essentially creates an open pathway for credential theft and unauthorized access to identity management systems that could compromise entire organizational authentication infrastructures.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1656 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to privileged accounts within identity management systems. Organizations utilizing affected versions of OpenIDM and RCS are at risk of unauthorized access to user accounts, directory services, and potentially other connected systems that rely on the compromised identity infrastructure. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, perform lateral movement within networks, and establish persistent access points through stolen credentials. This risk is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple operating systems, meaning that organizations with heterogeneous environments face increased exposure across their entire infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly dangerous in environments where these systems are connected to critical business applications or serve as identity providers for enterprise services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1656 should prioritize immediate implementation of security patches provided by ForgeRock Inc. as the primary remediation approach, while also implementing network-level protections such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The implementation of proper transport layer security measures including TLS encryption for all LDAP communications should be enforced across all affected systems. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may have been compromised through credential theft and implement robust identity and access management controls including multi-factor authentication and privileged access management solutions to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against credential theft attacks that leverage cleartext transmission vulnerabilities.