CVE-2006-3732 in CS-MARS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (CS-MARS) before 4.2.1 ships with an Oracle database that contains several default accounts and passwords, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System CS-MARS represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3732, where the affected system contains default database credentials that pose significant risks to enterprise security infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions of CS-MARS prior to 4.2.1 and stems from poor security configuration practices during the system deployment process. The issue manifests through the inclusion of well-known default accounts and passwords within the Oracle database component, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability resides in the hardcoded default authentication credentials that ship with the CS-MARS appliance, specifically within its Oracle database backend. These default accounts and passwords are publicly documented and widely known within the security community, making them easily discoverable through routine reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of insecure default configuration that violates fundamental security principles. Attackers can leverage these default credentials to establish initial access to the database layer, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive operational data, modify system configurations, or escalate privileges within the security monitoring environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on CS-MARS for network monitoring and threat detection. When attackers gain access through default credentials, they can potentially compromise the integrity of security logs, manipulate monitoring alerts, or access confidential threat intelligence that the system is designed to protect. This vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can remain undetected for extended periods, as the default accounts often go unnoticed during routine security audits. The attack surface becomes particularly concerning given that CS-MARS serves as a central security monitoring platform, making successful exploitation potentially devastating to an organization's overall security infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including updating to CS-MARS version 4.2.1 or later, which addresses the default credential issue through proper configuration. Security teams must conduct comprehensive audits of all default accounts and passwords across their Cisco security infrastructure, implementing strong password policies and disabling unnecessary default accounts. The mitigation strategy should incorporate regular security assessments and adherence to the principle of least privilege, ensuring that database accounts have minimal required permissions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and credential access tactics. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper system hardening and configuration management, reinforcing industry best practices for securing enterprise security infrastructure and preventing unauthorized access to critical monitoring systems.