CVE-2023-33833 in Security Verify Information Queue
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
IBM Security Verify Information Queue 10.0.4 and 10.0.5 stores sensitive information in plain clear text which can be read by a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 256013.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33833 affects IBM Security Verify Information Queue versions 10.0.4 and 10.0.5, representing a critical security flaw in the handling of sensitive data within the authentication and identity management framework. This issue stems from the improper storage of confidential information in clear text format, creating an exploitable weakness that directly violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability specifically impacts the information queue component that manages authentication data and user credentials, making it a prime target for local privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the application's data storage mechanisms where sensitive information such as authentication tokens, user credentials, and potentially session data are persisted without encryption or proper access controls. This clear text storage approach creates an inherent risk where any local user with access to the system can directly read these sensitive elements. The vulnerability manifests as a failure to implement proper data protection measures at rest, which aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege. The flaw essentially transforms the system's internal data storage into an easily accessible repository for attackers who gain local access to the machine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potential access to authentication credentials that could enable further compromise of the entire security infrastructure. Local users who exploit this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges, gain unauthorized access to additional systems, or perform man-in-the-middle attacks against other components that rely on the compromised queue. This weakness creates a significant attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could leverage stolen credentials to move laterally within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the information queue serves as a central component for identity management and authentication services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges, and conducting thorough security assessments of all components that handle sensitive information. The remediation process should include encrypting all sensitive data at rest, implementing proper file system permissions, and establishing monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams must also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their network architecture, particularly focusing on privilege separation and access control policies. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to security best practices for data protection and highlights the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar flaws in authentication and identity management systems. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security frameworks that address both technical implementation flaws and operational security measures to prevent exploitation of clear text storage vulnerabilities.