CVE-2024-28782 in QRadar Suite Software
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
IBM QRadar Suite Software 1.10.12.0 through 1.10.18.0 and IBM Cloud Pak for Security 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by an authenticated user. IBM X-Force ID: 285698.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28782 affects IBM QRadar Suite Software versions 1.10.12.0 through 1.10.18.0 and IBM Cloud Pak for Security versions 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0, representing a critical weakness in credential storage practices that directly impacts system security posture. This issue stems from the improper handling of user authentication data within the affected software platforms, where sensitive credentials are persisted in plaintext format rather than being adequately encrypted or hashed. The vulnerability exists at the application level and demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure coding practices, particularly concerning the protection of sensitive information that should never be stored in an easily readable format.
The technical flaw manifests as a clear text storage vulnerability that allows any authenticated user within the system to access stored credentials without additional authorization requirements. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security architecture where credential confidentiality is not properly maintained even within controlled environments. The vulnerability operates at the data persistence layer where authentication tokens, passwords, or other credential material are written to storage systems without appropriate cryptographic protection mechanisms. This weakness enables privilege escalation scenarios where a malicious insider or compromised legitimate user can exploit the clear text storage to gain unauthorized access to additional accounts or systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating potential pathways for lateral movement within network environments and enabling attackers to establish persistent access to critical security infrastructure. When authenticated users can read stored credentials, they effectively bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms that should protect sensitive information. This vulnerability directly affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can lead to cascading security failures where compromised credentials enable access to multiple systems or services. The attack surface expands significantly as any user with legitimate access to the affected software can potentially leverage this weakness to escalate privileges or access additional resources.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM software versions face substantial risk of credential compromise and potential security breaches that could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability creates opportunities for both insider threats and external attackers who have gained initial access to the system to escalate their privileges and expand their operational capabilities. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and incident response planning, as it represents a significant weakness in the overall security architecture of affected deployments. The potential for data exfiltration, system compromise, and unauthorized access to critical infrastructure makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on IBM QRadar and Cloud Pak for Security solutions.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate remediation through official software updates and patches provided by IBM to address the clear text credential storage issue. Organizations should implement additional monitoring and access controls to detect unauthorized credential access attempts and establish more robust credential management practices. The implementation of proper encryption mechanisms for credential storage, regular security assessments, and comprehensive access logging can help reduce the impact of this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and privilege separation to minimize the potential damage from credential compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a clear violation of security best practices that should be addressed through both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future.