CVE-2005-2292 in JDeveloper
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle JDeveloper 9.0.4, 9.0.5, and 10.1.2 stores cleartext passwords in (1) IDEConnections.xml, (2) XSQLConfig.xml and (3) settings.xml, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
Oracle JDeveloper versions 9.0.4, 9.0.5, and 10.1.2 contain a critical security flaw that exposes cleartext passwords in three key configuration files. This vulnerability stems from the application's insecure storage practices where authentication credentials are persisted in plain text format rather than being properly encrypted or obfuscated. The affected files include IDEConnections.xml which manages database and application connections, XSQLConfig.xml that handles xsql configuration settings, and settings.xml which contains various user preferences and connection parameters. The flaw represents a direct violation of security best practices and aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. Local attackers with access to these configuration files can easily extract usernames and passwords, enabling them to gain unauthorized access to connected systems and databases. This vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for malicious actors who may have already gained local system access, as they can leverage these stored credentials to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these connections often provide access to production databases, enterprise applications, and other sensitive systems that rely on the JDeveloper environment for development and deployment activities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001 which covers credentials in files, and T1078 which addresses valid accounts. The weakness creates a persistent security risk since these configuration files typically remain accessible to local users throughout the application lifecycle, and the cleartext storage persists even after the application is closed or restarted. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant exposure to insider threats and compromised local accounts, as the stored credentials can be accessed by any user with file system permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and secure coding practices, as proper credential management should involve encryption at rest and secure handling of authentication tokens rather than relying on simple text storage mechanisms. This flaw particularly affects enterprise environments where development teams use JDeveloper for application development and deployment, as the configuration files often contain credentials for multiple environments including development, testing, and production systems. The security implications are compounded by the fact that these files may be stored in version control systems or shared directories, potentially exposing credentials to unauthorized parties beyond the immediate local environment. Remediation requires immediate upgrading to patched versions of Oracle JDeveloper or implementing additional security controls such as file system permissions, encryption of sensitive configuration data, and regular security audits of stored credentials. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation and access controls to limit local user access to sensitive configuration files, as well as establishing proper credential rotation procedures to minimize the impact of any potential exposure. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure credential management in development environments and underscores the need for comprehensive security awareness training to prevent similar issues in other applications and systems.