CVE-2006-2185 in NetWare
Summary
by MITRE
PORTAL.NLM in Novell Netware 6.5 SP5 writes the username and password in cleartext to the abend.log log file when the groupOperationsMethod function fails, which allows context-dependent attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2185 represents a critical security flaw in Novell Netware 6.5 Service Pack 5 where the PORTAL.NLM module fails to properly handle authentication credentials during error conditions. This vulnerability manifests when the groupOperationsMethod function encounters a failure, causing the system to inadvertently log authentication information in cleartext format to the abend.log file. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that expose sensitive authentication data to unauthorized parties within the system's operational environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a context-dependent attack vector where malicious actors can access the abend.log file to extract username and password information in plain text format. This represents a fundamental failure in secure coding practices and demonstrates the absence of proper credential sanitization during error handling procedures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-532, which specifically addresses information exposure through log files, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.001 related to disabling or modifying tools. The cleartext storage of credentials directly violates security best practices established in NIST SP 800-63B and OWASP authentication guidelines, which mandate that sensitive information should never be stored in plaintext formats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges within the Novell Netware environment. Once extracted, these credentials can be used to authenticate as legitimate users, potentially providing access to restricted network resources and sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability affects the entire Netware ecosystem where PORTAL.NLM is deployed, creating a persistent security risk that could compromise multiple user accounts and system components. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and potential data breaches that could impact compliance with various regulatory frameworks including SOX, HIPAA, and PCI DSS standards.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures including immediate patching of the affected Netware 6.5 SP5 systems, enhanced log file monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and implementation of proper credential sanitization procedures within error handling routines. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of log file access controls and implement automated monitoring solutions to detect potential credential exposure. The vulnerability also necessitates a review of the overall security architecture to ensure that authentication data is never written to persistent storage in cleartext formats, aligning with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies recommended by ISO 27001 standards. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of credential compromise within their infrastructure.