CVE-2023-50957 in Storage Defender
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2024
IBM Storage Defender - Resiliency Service 2.0 could allow a privileged user to perform unauthorized actions after obtaining encrypted data from clear text key storage. IBM X-Force ID: 275783.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-50957 affects IBM Storage Defender Resiliency Service version 2.0, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of cryptographic key management within storage infrastructure. This issue stems from inadequate protection mechanisms that allow authenticated but privileged users to exploit weaknesses in how encryption keys are stored and accessed. The vulnerability specifically targets clear text key storage mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers who have already gained some level of system access to escalate their privileges and execute unauthorized operations. The flaw exists within the service's cryptographic key handling processes, where sensitive data remains exposed in plaintext format during certain operational phases, enabling malicious actors to extract and manipulate encryption keys that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in proper key lifecycle management and access controls within the IBM Storage Defender system. When the resiliency service processes encryption operations, it maintains certain keys in clear text storage locations that are accessible to users with sufficient privileges. This design flaw creates a scenario where an attacker with legitimate administrative access can leverage their credentials to extract encryption keys from memory or storage locations that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates under the principle of privilege escalation, where legitimate system access becomes a vector for unauthorized actions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, as it involves the improper storage of cryptographic keys in plaintext format. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-287: Improper Authentication, since the system fails to properly validate or restrict access to cryptographic materials even when users possess legitimate credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-50957 extends beyond simple data exposure, creating potential for significant system compromise and data breaches within enterprise storage environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to encryption keys that would allow them to decrypt sensitive data stored in the protected storage system. This capability could enable unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations that would otherwise be protected by proper encryption controls. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on IBM Storage Defender for critical data protection, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of their storage infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the flaw requires only privileged access rather than elevated administrative privileges, making it more accessible to insiders or attackers who have already compromised user accounts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001: Unsecured Credentials and T1078.002: Valid Accounts, as it exploits legitimate user credentials to access protected cryptographic materials.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their storage infrastructure from potential exploitation. The primary recommendation involves strengthening key storage mechanisms to ensure that cryptographic keys are never stored in plaintext format, regardless of user privileges. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of key storage locations and implement proper encryption for all key material, both at rest and in transit. The remediation process should include reviewing and tightening access controls for the resiliency service, implementing additional authentication layers, and ensuring that all key management operations occur within properly secured environments. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual access patterns to key storage areas, as well as regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other cryptographic components. The mitigation strategy should align with industry best practices for cryptographic key management as outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 14443 standards. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle key compromise scenarios, including key rotation protocols and data recovery procedures to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.