Security Bulletin: Crypto Hardware Initialization and Maintenance is vulnerable to arbitrary code execution due to Apache Log4j (CVE-2021-44832)

Summary

Crypto Hardware Initialization and Maintenance (CHIM) as shipped with IBM Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA) for MTM 4769 is affected by a vulnerability in Apache Log4j (CVE-2021-44832). CHIM is using Apache Log4j for internal logging purposes of regular user activity. The fix includes Apache Log4j 2.17.1.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:CVE-2021-44832
**DESCRIPTION:**Apache Log4j could allow a remote attacker with permission to modify the logging configuration file to execute arbitrary code on the system. By constructing a malicious configuration using a JDBC Appender with a data source referencing a JNDI URI , an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute remote code.
CVSS Base score: 6.6
CVSS Temporal Score: See: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/216189 for the current score.
CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

Remediation/Fixes

IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now by upgrading:

CHIM 3.0.1 for CCA MTM 4769 for Linux x86-64 version 7.2.55 or later (setup4769_chim_log4j_patch_7.2.55.bin)

Note: CCA MTM 4769 version 7.2.55 is no longer available for download; it has been superseded by version 7.3.44 (setup4769_7.3.44.bin)

The fixed version can be obtained from the CCA Software Download Page.

Workarounds and Mitigations

For local administrative purposes the Crypto Node Management (CNM) tool can be used instead of Crypto Hardware Initialization and Maintenance (CHIM) for most administrative tasks.