CVE-2004-2397 in Security Gateway OS
Summary
by MITRE
The web-based Management Console in Blue Coat Security Gateway OS 3.0 through 3.1.3.13 and 3.2.1, when importing a private key, stores the key and its passphrase in plaintext in a log file, which allows attackers to steal digital certificates.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2397 represents a critical security flaw in the Blue Coat Security Gateway OS authentication and certificate management processes. This issue affects versions 3.0 through 3.1.3.13 and 3.2.1 of the Blue Coat Security Gateway operating system, which are widely used for network security management and content filtering. The flaw specifically manifests during the import process of private keys through the web-based Management Console, where sensitive cryptographic materials are inadvertently stored in an unencrypted format within system log files. This represents a fundamental failure in secure credential handling and demonstrates poor security practices in data storage and management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of sensitive data within the system's logging mechanisms. When administrators import private keys through the web interface, the system does not adequately sanitize or encrypt the passphrase associated with the key before storing it in the log file. The plaintext storage of cryptographic credentials creates an immediate and severe risk vector for attackers who gain access to the system's log files. This flaw directly violates established security principles for handling sensitive information and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure data handling practices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper logging and storage of credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire security infrastructure managed by the Blue Coat appliance. When attackers can extract the plaintext private key and passphrase from log files, they gain the ability to impersonate legitimate users, decrypt sensitive communications, and potentially escalate their privileges within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on SSL/TLS inspection and content filtering capabilities, as the stolen certificates could be used to decrypt and monitor encrypted traffic passing through the appliance. The attack surface is further expanded because these log files are often accessible to various system users and may not be properly secured or restricted. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and specifically addresses the exposure of passwords and cryptographic keys through insecure storage mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address the exposed credentials and prevent further exploitation. The primary immediate action involves securing access to system log files through proper file permissions and access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access these sensitive locations. System administrators should also implement log rotation and cleanup procedures to remove sensitive information from log files after a reasonable period. The recommended long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the Blue Coat Security Gateway OS, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through improved credential handling and logging mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security audits of their logging infrastructure to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, implementing centralized logging with proper encryption and access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative interfaces to prevent similar exposures of sensitive information in system logs and configuration files.