CVE-2024-35140 is a vulnerability identified in IBM Security Verify Access Docker versions 10.0.0 through 10.0.6. The root cause is improper certificate validation (classified under CWE-295), which means the software fails to correctly verify the authenticity or validity of certificates used in its operations. This flaw can be exploited by a local attacker who has access to the system hosting the Docker container to escalate their privileges. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or user interaction, making it easier for an attacker with local access to leverage. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.7, indicating a high severity level, with the vector showing local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H), but no impact on availability (A:N). Improper certificate validation can allow attackers to bypass security checks, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive components or administrative functions within the IBM Security Verify Access Docker environment. Although no public exploits are reported yet, the vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where local access controls are weak or where multiple users share access to the host system. The vulnerability affects a critical component of IBM's identity and access management solutions, which are widely used in enterprise environments to secure user authentication and authorization processes.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of identity and access management systems. Exploitation could allow attackers with local access to escalate privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, administrative functions, or further lateral movement within the network. This is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, as unauthorized access could lead to data breaches and regulatory penalties. The vulnerability could disrupt trust in authentication mechanisms, impacting business operations and security posture. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure that rely on IBM Security Verify Access Docker for secure access management are at heightened risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the local access requirement means internal threat actors or compromised insiders could exploit this vulnerability. The impact is compounded in environments where container hosts are shared or insufficiently isolated, increasing the attack surface.

1. Apply patches or updates from IBM as soon as they become available for Security Verify Access Docker versions 10.0.0 through 10.0.6. 2. Restrict local access to hosts running IBM Security Verify Access Docker containers by enforcing strict access controls, limiting user permissions, and using role-based access control (RBAC). 3. Implement host-level security measures such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts. 4. Use container security best practices, including isolating containers, minimizing container privileges, and employing security profiles like AppArmor or SELinux. 5. Regularly audit and review local user accounts and permissions on hosts running the affected software to detect and remove unnecessary access. 6. Monitor logs and security alerts for anomalous activity related to certificate validation failures or privilege escalations. 7. Educate system administrators and security teams about the vulnerability and the importance of controlling local access to critical systems. 8. Consider network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised host and reduce the risk of lateral movement.