CVE-2024-49819: IBM Guardium Key Manager Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2024-49819 Overview

CVE-2024-49819 affects IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager (GKLM) versions 4.1, 4.1.1, 4.2.0, and 4.2.1. The product transmits sensitive information in cleartext over a communication channel that unauthorized actors can sniff. A remote attacker positioned on the network path can intercept the data without authentication or user interaction. The flaw maps to CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information.

Critical Impact

A network-based adversary can passively capture sensitive data, including potential cryptographic key management traffic, by observing the affected communication channel.

Affected Products

• IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.1 and 4.1.1
• IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.2.0
• IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager 4.2.1

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-17 - CVE-2024-49819 published to NVD
• 2025-01-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-49819

Vulnerability Analysis

IBM Security Guardium Key Lifecycle Manager centralizes encryption key management for storage devices, databases, and applications. The product exposes a communication channel that carries sensitive information without enforcing transport encryption. An attacker with access to the network path between the GKLM server and its clients can capture this traffic using standard packet capture tools.

Because GKLM handles cryptographic key lifecycle operations, any leakage of session content, credentials, or configuration data has downstream consequences for the storage systems and databases that depend on it. The issue is a confidentiality flaw only; integrity and availability remain unaffected per the CVSS vector.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of, or fallback to, unencrypted transport on a sensitive channel. Under [CWE-319], applications must protect sensitive data in transit using cryptographic protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher with validated ciphers. GKLM 4.1 through 4.2.1 fails to enforce this control on at least one channel exposed to the network.

Attack Vector

The attack is remote and unauthenticated. An adversary needs the ability to observe network traffic between GKLM and a peer host. Practical positions include a compromised switch or router, a rogue device on the same VLAN, ARP or DHCP spoofing on a flat segment, or a misconfigured network tap. After capturing traffic, the attacker parses plaintext fields directly without breaking cryptography.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is listed in ExploitDB, and the CVE is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list. The EPSS probability is 0.03%, reflecting low observed exploitation activity.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49819

Indicators of Compromise

• Unencrypted TCP sessions to or from GKLM hosts on management or key-serving ports.
• Packet captures containing readable GKLM protocol fields, credentials, or key metadata.
• Unexpected ARP table changes, MAC flapping, or promiscuous-mode interfaces on segments hosting GKLM.

Detection Strategies

• Inspect network flows to GKLM servers and flag any session that negotiates plaintext rather than TLS.
• Compare deployed GKLM version strings against the affected list (4.1, 4.1.1, 4.2.0, 4.2.1) using authenticated vulnerability scans.
• Review GKLM and load balancer configuration for listeners that accept non-TLS connections.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward GKLM application and audit logs to a central SIEM and alert on connections from unexpected source addresses.
• Enable network detection and response tooling to identify cleartext authentication patterns near key management infrastructure.
• Monitor for new sniffing tools or libpcap activity on hosts adjacent to GKLM systems.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49819

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the fix referenced in the IBM Support advisory for CVE-2024-49819.
• Restrict network access to GKLM management and key-serving ports to a dedicated, segmented administrative network.
• Rotate any credentials or keys that may have traversed the affected channel in cleartext.

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance and fix details on the IBM Support page for CVE-2024-49819. Administrators running GKLM 4.1, 4.1.1, 4.2.0, or 4.2.1 should consult the advisory for the specific fix pack or upgrade path applicable to their version.

Workarounds

• Place GKLM behind a TLS-terminating reverse proxy that enforces TLS 1.2 or higher and rejects plaintext clients.
• Enforce IPsec between GKLM and its clients where the application channel cannot be upgraded directly.
• Isolate GKLM on a dedicated VLAN with port security, DHCP snooping, and dynamic ARP inspection to limit sniffing opportunities.

# Configuration example: restrict GKLM access with host firewall (RHEL/CentOS)
firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=drop --add-source=0.0.0.0/0
firewall-cmd --permanent --new-zone=gklm-admin
firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=gklm-admin --add-source=10.10.50.0/24
firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=gklm-admin --add-port=5696/tcp
firewall-cmd --permanent --zone=gklm-admin --add-port=9443/tcp
firewall-cmd --reload