CVE-2023-31002 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Security Verify Access Appliance versions 10.0.0.0 through 10.0.6.1, where the product temporarily stores sensitive information, including passwords, in plaintext files on the local filesystem. This insecure storage is classified under CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password). The vulnerability allows any local user without privileges to access these files and retrieve sensitive credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the appliance or connected systems. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction but does require local access, which increases the attack complexity. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.1 (medium severity), reflecting high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant for environments where local user access is not tightly controlled. IBM has not yet published patches, so mitigation currently relies on access controls and monitoring. This vulnerability affects critical identity and access management infrastructure, which could be leveraged for further lateral movement or privilege escalation if exploited.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the confidentiality of sensitive credentials used in identity and access management systems. Compromise of these credentials could lead to unauthorized access to enterprise resources, potentially enabling further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. Organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements for data protection, such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face compliance issues if sensitive information is exposed. The requirement for local access limits the threat to insiders or attackers who have already gained some foothold in the environment, but the impact remains significant given the critical role of the affected appliance in authentication and access control. Disruption of trust in identity systems could also affect business continuity and user confidence.

1. Restrict local access to systems running IBM Security Verify Access Appliance to only trusted administrators and personnel. 2. Implement strict file system permissions and monitor access to temporary files that may contain sensitive information. 3. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to alert on unauthorized file access attempts. 4. Isolate the appliance in secure network segments to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 5. Regularly audit user accounts and privileges on the appliance host to minimize the number of local users. 6. Monitor IBM security advisories for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7. Consider additional encryption or secure storage mechanisms for sensitive data if configurable. 8. Conduct internal security awareness training to reduce insider threat risks. 9. Use multi-factor authentication and strong access controls on the appliance management interfaces to limit exposure.