CVE-2023-27291 in Watson CP4D Data Stores
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2024
IBM Watson CP4D Data Stores 4.6.0, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, and 4.6.3 does not encrypt sensitive or critical information before storage or transmission which could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 248740.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
IBM Watson CP4D Data Stores version 4.6.0 through 4.6.3 contains a critical security vulnerability that fails to properly encrypt sensitive information during storage or transmission processes. This weakness represents a significant departure from established security best practices and industry standards for data protection. The vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient encryption, which is formally categorized as CWE-310 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The lack of proper encryption mechanisms creates an exploitable condition where attackers can potentially intercept or access sensitive data without authorization, undermining the fundamental security posture of the platform.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement adequate encryption protocols for data at rest and in transit. This vulnerability affects the core data storage and transmission mechanisms within the IBM Watson CP4D environment, creating a pathway for malicious actors to extract confidential information. The weakness specifically impacts how the system handles sensitive or critical information, which may include user credentials, personal data, business intelligence, or other proprietary information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain access to data that should remain protected through established encryption standards such as those defined in the NIST SP 800-57 guidelines for cryptographic key management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of information processed within the IBM Watson CP4D environment. Organizations utilizing these affected versions face significant risks including potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the data exposure and credential access categories, where adversaries seek to obtain sensitive information through various attack vectors. This weakness particularly affects organizations that handle sensitive data workloads and require robust data protection measures to meet industry compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX regulations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM Watson CP4D Data Stores, implementing additional network-level encryption measures, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their data handling processes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper encryption implementation within enterprise data platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all data transmission and storage processes comply with established security frameworks and standards. The incident highlights the necessity of thorough security testing and validation of encryption mechanisms before deploying enterprise-grade data platforms in production environments.