CVE-2004-2436 in Common Services
Summary
by MITRE
computer associates unicenter common services 3.0 and earlier stores the database "sa" password in cleartext in the tndaddnsptmp.bat file which could allow local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2436 affects Computer Associates Unicenter Common Services version 3.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that stems from improper credential handling within the system's database administration processes. This weakness resides in the tndaddnsptmp.bat file which contains the database administrator password in plaintext format, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to escalate their privileges within the system. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and demonstrates poor security design principles that have been addressed in modern security frameworks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insecure storage of database administrative credentials within a batch file that is accessible to local users. When the Unicenter Common Services component executes database operations, it generates temporary batch files containing the system administrator password in cleartext format rather than utilizing secure credential storage mechanisms. This approach directly violates established security best practices and creates an immediate privilege escalation vector for any local user who can access the temporary file. The vulnerability specifically targets the database "sa" account which typically possesses the highest level of administrative privileges within database systems, making the impact of exploitation particularly severe.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables local users to assume the identity of the database administrator and execute arbitrary commands with full administrative privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to modify database contents, extract sensitive information, create or delete database objects, and potentially establish persistent access to the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database services, as local users can manipulate the underlying data structures and potentially disrupt database operations. This type of flaw represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that has been categorized under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) when considering local account exploitation patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through patching the affected Unicenter Common Services version to implement proper credential handling mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that all temporary files containing sensitive information are properly secured with appropriate access controls and that credential storage follows secure practices such as encryption at rest. System administrators must conduct comprehensive audits of all temporary file locations and ensure that sensitive information is not persisted in plaintext format. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing principle of least privilege and regular security assessments to identify similar credential storage flaws within legacy systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access to temporary files and establish proper incident response procedures for credential exposure events. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper credential management in enterprise security infrastructure, particularly when dealing with legacy systems that may not incorporate modern security controls.