CVE-2021-38979 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 have been identified with a significant vulnerability. Let's delve into the details of CVE-2021-38979 to understand its implications and how to address them.

Understanding CVE-2021-38979

This section provides insights into the nature of the CVE-2021-38979 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-38979?

IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions mentioned lack a crucial security measure. The software uses a one-way cryptographic hash without including a salt, potentially exposing sensitive data. This vulnerability has been assigned the IBM X-Force ID: 212785.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38979

The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk, with high confidentiality impact, especially concerning systems using the affected versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38979

Let's explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-38979 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, and 4.1 lack proper salt usage in the one-way cryptographic hash process, potentially compromising password security.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected versions include Security Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0, 3.0.1, 4.0, 3.0.0.4, 3.0.1.5, 4.0.0.3, 4.1, 4.1.0.1, and 4.1.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

The absence of salt in the cryptographic hash function could lead to password exposure and security breaches.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate the CVE-2021-38979 vulnerability and enhance your system's security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implementing official fixes and additional security measures to strengthen password encryption can help mitigate the vulnerability's risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Adopting robust password hashing techniques and ensuring regular security updates can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly patching affected systems with the latest updates provided by IBM is crucial to address the CVE-2021-38979 vulnerability effectively.