CVE-2018-2019 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.0 Virtual Appliance is vulnerable to XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attacks, potentially leading to sensitive information exposure or memory resource depletion.

Understanding CVE-2018-2019

The vulnerability affects IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.0.0 and was made public on January 15, 2019.

What is CVE-2018-2019?

The Virtual Appliance for IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.0 is susceptible to XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attacks during the handling of XML data. By exploiting this vulnerability, an external attacker can potentially extract sensitive information or deplete memory resources. It has been assigned the IBM X-Force ID: 155265.

The Impact of CVE-2018-2019

CVSS Base Score: 7.1 (High Severity)
Confidentiality Impact: High
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Remediation Level: Official Fix
Report Confidence: Confirmed

Technical Details of CVE-2018-2019

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute XML External Entity Injection (XXE) attacks, potentially leading to information disclosure or resource exhaustion.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Security Identity Manager
Vendor: IBM
Affected Version: 6.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating XML data to trigger XXE attacks, compromising the system's integrity and confidentiality.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial to mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2018-2019.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes or patches provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Restrict access to the affected system to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses in the system.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from IBM regarding CVE-2018-2019 to ensure timely application of patches and fixes.