CVE-2023-35016 in Security Verify Governance
Summary
by MITRE • 07/31/2023
IBM Security Verify Governance, Identity Manager 10.0 could allow a remote attacker to traverse directories on the system. An attacker could send a specially crafted URL request containing "dot dot" sequences (/../) to view arbitrary files on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 257772.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2023
This vulnerability exists within IBM Security Verify Governance and Identity Manager version 10.0, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the application's handling of URL requests, specifically failing to properly sanitize or filter directory path components that contain dot-dot sequences. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that include ../ sequences, allowing them to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors from outside the network perimeter. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector is classified as network-based, where an attacker can manipulate the application's file access routines through crafted HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could access sensitive configuration files, user credentials stored in system files, application source code, database files, and other critical system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure, particularly in environments where IBM Security Verify Governance and Identity Manager are deployed as core identity management solutions. The affected system could become a pivot point for further attacks within the network, as access to system files often reveals additional attack surfaces and potential escalation paths. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides an easy method to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data without requiring advanced exploitation techniques or prior access credentials. The security implications are particularly severe given that identity management systems typically contain highly sensitive information including user authentication data, access control policies, and privileged account credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The most critical immediate action is to apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the directory traversal flaw in IBM Security Verify Governance and Identity Manager 10.0. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns containing directory traversal sequences. Input validation should be strengthened at all application entry points to ensure that path components are properly sanitized before being processed by the application's file access routines. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or systems that may be susceptible to similar directory traversal attacks. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security monitoring can help detect unauthorized access attempts. From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate system access. Organizations should also consider implementing file access logging and monitoring to detect anomalous file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security awareness training for system administrators and developers is crucial to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future application deployments. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce regressions in system functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to protect against this specific attack vector.