CVE-2024-7577 Overview
CVE-2024-7577 affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. The product writes sensitive user credentials into log files during a new installation. An attacker with access to these installation log files can recover credentials and reuse them to access the platform or related services.
The weakness maps to [CWE-532: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File]. IBM has issued an advisory and remediation guidance.
Critical Impact
Credentials captured in installation logs can grant unauthorized access to IBM InfoSphere Information Server, exposing data integration pipelines and connected enterprise data sources.
Affected Products
- IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 on IBM AIX
- IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 on Linux
- IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 on Microsoft Windows
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-29 - CVE-2024-7577 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-7577
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an information disclosure issue classified under [CWE-532]. During a new installation of IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7, the installer writes sensitive user credentials in cleartext to log files on the host file system.
Installation logs are typically retained after deployment for troubleshooting purposes. Any user, process, or backup job with read access to those logs can extract the credentials. These credentials may include administrative accounts used to configure the WebSphere Application Server, the metadata repository database, and InfoSphere services.
Exploitation does not require interaction with the running product. Reading a static file on disk is sufficient to recover the secrets. Once recovered, the credentials can be replayed against InfoSphere consoles, databases, or other systems where the same passwords are reused.
Root Cause
The installer code path for InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 fails to redact or mask credential values before passing them to the logging subsystem. Verbose installer output captures parameters, including credential inputs, and persists them to disk without access restrictions or encryption.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is described as network-based in the advisory metadata because the disclosed credentials enable authenticated access to networked InfoSphere services. The initial credential recovery itself requires read access to the installation log files, which can be obtained by low-privileged local users, attackers who have already compromised the host, log-collection agents that forward files off-system, or backup archives containing the installation directory.
For technical details, refer to the IBM Support advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-7577
Indicators of Compromise
- Presence of cleartext usernames or passwords in InfoSphere installation log files under the InfoSphere install directory
- Installation logs forwarded to centralized log aggregators or backup repositories without sanitization
- Authentication events from unexpected source hosts using InfoSphere administrative accounts
Detection Strategies
- Scan InfoSphere Information Server installation directories for log files containing patterns such as password=, passwd=, or known administrative usernames
- Audit file access events on installation log paths to identify users or processes that have read them
- Correlate successful InfoSphere logins against known administrator workstations to flag credential reuse from anomalous sources
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward file integrity monitoring events for the InfoSphere install directory to a SIEM for review
- Alert on read access to installer log files by non-administrative accounts
- Monitor outbound transfers of installer log files via SCP, SMB, or backup agents
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-7577
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fix referenced in the IBM Support advisory for InfoSphere Information Server 11.7
- Locate and securely delete or sanitize installation log files generated during prior installations of version 11.7
- Rotate all credentials supplied during the original installation, including database, WebSphere, and InfoSphere administrative accounts
- Review backup repositories and log aggregators for copies of the installation logs and purge or restrict access to them
Patch Information
IBM has published remediation guidance for CVE-2024-7577 in the IBM Support advisory. Administrators should apply the vendor-provided fix to InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 and follow the post-installation cleanup steps outlined by IBM.
Workarounds
- Restrict file system permissions on the InfoSphere installation directory so that only the installation owner and authorized administrators can read log files
- Move installation log files to encrypted storage immediately after deployment and remove the originals
- Exclude installer log paths from broad backup and log-collection scopes until the patch is applied
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
