CVE-2004-1609 in SalesLogix
Summary
by MITRE
SalesLogix 6.1 includes usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information in the headers of an HTTP response, which could allow remote attackers to gain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1609 represents a critical security flaw in SalesLogix 6.1 software that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through HTTP response headers. This issue falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, specifically addressing the improper handling of authentication tokens and user credentials within web application communications. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure application design where sensitive data intended for internal processing is inadvertently transmitted in cleartext within HTTP response headers, creating an attack surface that adversaries can readily exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize HTTP response headers before transmission. When SalesLogix 6.1 processes authentication requests or generates responses, it includes usernames, passwords, and other confidential information directly within the HTTP header fields rather than maintaining these credentials in secure server-side storage or encrypted transmission channels. This design flaw creates an environment where any attacker with network access can intercept HTTP traffic and extract authentication credentials simply by examining response headers, effectively bypassing traditional authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs at the protocol level within HTTP communications, making it accessible through standard network sniffing tools and interception techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application and creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and privilege escalation within the SalesLogix environment. The exposure of authentication credentials through HTTP headers also enables attackers to perform session hijacking attacks, where stolen credentials can be used to impersonate legitimate users and access sensitive business data. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper handling of sensitive data, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent sensitive information from being transmitted in cleartext within network protocols.
Organizations utilizing SalesLogix 6.1 systems face significant risk when this vulnerability remains unaddressed, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method for bypassing authentication mechanisms and accessing protected resources. The attack surface is particularly broad since HTTP interception can occur at multiple points in the network infrastructure, including wireless access points, network switches, and proxy servers. This vulnerability also intersects with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1566 for credential access through network sniffing and T1078 for valid accounts usage. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanism of the application, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and access additional system resources beyond the initial compromised account.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1609 should focus on immediate implementation of secure coding practices and network-level protections. Organizations must ensure that all authentication credentials and sensitive information are removed from HTTP headers and transmitted through secure encrypted channels such as HTTPS with proper TLS configurations. The application should be updated to properly sanitize response headers, implementing strict input validation and output encoding to prevent sensitive data exposure. Network-level protections including firewall rules, intrusion detection systems, and secure network segmentation can help reduce the risk of interception. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and credential usage, as well as establish regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The remediation process should include complete application reconfiguration to ensure that no sensitive information is exposed through HTTP headers, with thorough testing to validate that the fix does not introduce new security issues or break existing functionality.