CVE-2024-27255: IBM MQ Operator Weak Encryption Vulnerability

CVE-2024-27255 Overview

CVE-2024-27255 affects multiple versions of IBM MQ Operator, where the product uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms. An attacker positioned to capture protected data can decrypt highly sensitive information traversing or stored by the affected component. The flaw is tracked under IBM X-Force ID 283905 and is categorized as a Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm weakness [CWE-327]. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, but it impacts confidentiality only.

Critical Impact

An attacker who can observe or recover ciphertext produced by IBM MQ Operator may decrypt sensitive data because the product relies on cryptographic algorithms that no longer meet current strength requirements.

Affected Products

• IBM MQ Operator 2.0.0 LTS and 2.0.18 LTS
• IBM MQ Operator 3.0.0 CD and 3.0.1 CD
• IBM MQ Operator 2.2.0 through 2.2.2, 2.3.0 through 2.3.3, and 2.4.0 through 2.4.7

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-03-03 - CVE-2024-27255 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2024-12-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27255

Vulnerability Analysis

IBM MQ Operator manages deployments of IBM MQ message brokers in Kubernetes and OpenShift environments. The affected releases use cryptographic algorithms whose key sizes or constructions fall below modern strength expectations. When sensitive data such as configuration secrets, message payloads, or transport-layer traffic is protected with these algorithms, an attacker with sufficient ciphertext or network position can recover plaintext through brute force or known cryptanalytic techniques.

The weakness is classified as [CWE-327] Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality but does not directly enable code execution, integrity tampering, or service disruption. EPSS data places the probability of observed exploitation activity at a low level, consistent with cryptographic weaknesses that require specialized capabilities to abuse.

Root Cause

The root cause is the selection of a cryptographic primitive or parameter set that is no longer considered secure. This typically involves deprecated cipher suites, undersized keys, or hash algorithms susceptible to collisions. IBM did not publicly disclose the specific algorithm in the CVE record, but the X-Force advisory describes the impact as decryption of sensitive information.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the attacker to obtain protected data produced by an affected IBM MQ Operator deployment. This could occur through passive network capture of traffic, access to stored ciphertext, or interception of communications between operator-managed components. No credentials or user interaction are required to attempt cryptanalysis once the ciphertext is in the attacker's possession.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this issue. Refer to the IBM Support Advisory #7126571 and IBM X-Force Vulnerability #283905 for vendor-supplied technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27255

Indicators of Compromise

• No public indicators of compromise are associated with CVE-2024-27255, and no known exploitation has been reported by CISA KEV.
• Presence of IBM MQ Operator versions listed in the affected products section running in Kubernetes or OpenShift clusters.

Detection Strategies

• Inventory IBM MQ Operator deployments and compare installed versions against the affected releases enumerated by IBM.
• Inspect cluster manifests, Helm charts, and operator subscriptions for ibm-mq operator images that match the vulnerable version range.
• Review TLS and message-encryption configuration in IBM MQ queue managers managed by the operator for deprecated cipher suites or weak key sizes.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Log and monitor cryptographic negotiation parameters for IBM MQ channels, alerting on legacy ciphers or sub-2048-bit RSA keys.
• Track operator upgrade events in the Kubernetes audit log to confirm timely remediation across clusters.
• Capture network metadata for traffic to and from MQ pods to support post-incident analysis if weak ciphers are detected.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27255

Immediate Actions Required

• Identify all affected IBM MQ Operator instances using the version list from the IBM Support Advisory #7126571.
• Upgrade to a fixed IBM MQ Operator release as directed by the IBM advisory.
• Rotate any cryptographic keys, certificates, and secrets that may have been protected by the weak algorithm.

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance in IBM Support Advisory #7126571. Customers should apply the operator version specified by IBM for their channel (LTS or CD) and validate that managed IBM MQ queue managers are restarted with updated cryptographic configurations. Additional vendor context is provided in IBM X-Force Vulnerability #283905.

Workarounds

• Configure IBM MQ channels and TLS endpoints to disable deprecated cipher suites and enforce modern algorithms where the operator version permits.
• Restrict network access to MQ listeners so that only trusted clients can negotiate cryptographic sessions.
• Re-encrypt sensitive data at rest using current cryptographic standards once the operator is upgraded.

# Example: list IBM MQ Operator versions installed in a cluster
kubectl get csv -A | grep ibm-mq

# Example: check the operator subscription channel
kubectl get subscription -A -o jsonpath='{range .items[?(@.spec.name=="ibm-mq")]}{.metadata.namespace}{"\t"}{.spec.channel}{"\n"}{end}'