CVE-2023-47702 in Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2023
IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.3 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 modify files on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 271196.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2024
IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager version 4.3 contains a directory traversal vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure through specially crafted URL requests. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling within the application's web interface, allowing malicious users to manipulate file paths using directory traversal sequences such as /../ or %2e%2e%2f. The flaw exists in the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing file requests, creating an opportunity for attackers to navigate the file system beyond the designated boundaries. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to modify system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the application's web interface. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary file access, which could enable attackers to read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other critical system information. Additionally, the ability to modify files through this traversal mechanism could allow for persistent backdoor installation or system corruption. The impact on enterprise security is significant as IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager is designed to manage cryptographic keys and sensitive data, making the exposure of such information particularly damaging. Organizations using this software face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 discovery technique, which involves identifying file and directory permissions, and potentially T1566 credential access techniques if sensitive key material is accessed. The flaw represents a critical security gap in the application's input validation and access control mechanisms, highlighting the importance of proper path sanitization and the principle of least privilege in web application development. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, web application firewalls, and access controls to prevent unauthorized path traversal attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments and patch management processes to address such fundamental flaws in enterprise security tools.
The directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.3 represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that allows attackers to bypass normal access controls through manipulation of URL parameters. This weakness specifically affects the application's handling of file path requests, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing directory navigation requests. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core of the application's file system interaction capabilities, where legitimate users might need to access specific files but attackers can exploit the lack of proper input validation to access arbitrary files on the system. The attack requires only a basic understanding of URL encoding and directory traversal techniques, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system compromise through file modification capabilities. When attackers can traverse directories, they can potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, and cryptographic materials that the application is designed to protect. This creates a cascading security risk where the compromise of one application component can lead to broader system infiltration. The vulnerability's presence in a key lifecycle management tool is particularly dangerous as it could expose encryption keys, certificates, and other cryptographic materials essential for enterprise security operations. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the application's defense-in-depth approach, where multiple layers of security should prevent such unauthorized access attempts. Organizations using this software face potential regulatory compliance violations, as the exposure of cryptographic materials could breach data protection regulations and industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it a preferred target for both automated attacks and targeted intrusions. Security teams should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where the application is exposed to untrusted networks or users.
Mitigation strategies for the directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.3 should focus on implementing multiple layers of defense to prevent unauthorized path manipulation. The primary technical mitigation involves implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that reject or properly encode any input containing directory traversal sequences. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns, particularly those containing multiple consecutive dot-dot sequences or their URL-encoded equivalents. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the application to only authorized users and systems. The application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges and to restrict file system access to only necessary directories. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application and surrounding systems. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts, including unusual file access patterns or directory traversal requests. The vulnerability's remediation requires immediate patching from IBM as a priority, but in the interim, network-based mitigations such as firewall rules and proxy configurations should be implemented to block known attack patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely application of security updates. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing such attacks, as proper implementation of these controls would have prevented the vulnerability from existing in the first place. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied fixes do not introduce new functionality issues or break existing legitimate use cases. Additionally, organizations should conduct security awareness training for administrators to help them understand the importance of proper access controls and the risks associated with unpatched vulnerabilities in critical security infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper security controls throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such fundamental flaws from reaching production environments.