CVE-2007-3200 in Modular_authentication_service
Summary
by MITRE
NMASINST in Novell Modular Authentication Service (NMAS) 3.1.2 and earlier on NetWare logs its invoking command line to NMASINST.LOG, which might allow local users to obtain the admin username and password by reading this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3200 affects Novell Modular Authentication Service version 3.1.2 and earlier installations running on NetWare operating systems. This security flaw resides within the NMASINST component, which serves as the installation utility for the modular authentication service. The issue stems from the application's improper handling of sensitive information during the installation process, creating a significant security risk for systems that utilize this authentication framework. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure logging practices where critical authentication credentials are inadvertently exposed through system log files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the NMASINST utility writing the complete command line arguments to a dedicated log file named NMASINST.LOG without proper sanitization of sensitive parameters. When administrators execute the installation process with authentication credentials included as command line arguments, these credentials become permanently stored in the log file in plain text format. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for handling sensitive information and creates an attack surface where local users can access privileged authentication data simply by reading the log file. The flaw specifically relates to improper output handling and inadequate input validation during the installation process, making it a clear example of insecure logging practices.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for local users who can gain access to administrative credentials without requiring external attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these administrative credentials can be used to escalate privileges, modify system configurations, or gain unauthorized access to other network resources protected by the same authentication service. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the authentication system, potentially leading to complete system compromise if attackers can leverage the stolen credentials for further exploitation. This represents a critical weakness in the principle of least privilege, as local access to installation logs provides unauthorized users with elevated privileges.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-532 (Information Exposure Through Log Files) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, highlighting the fundamental flaw in how sensitive data is handled and logged. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation and credential access techniques, specifically mapping to T1003 (Credential Dumping) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) tactics. The attack surface is limited to local users but represents a significant risk in environments where multiple users have access to the system, as it provides a direct path to administrative credentials. Organizations should consider implementing file access controls and log rotation policies to mitigate this risk, while also ensuring that sensitive parameters are not passed through command line arguments during installation processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of file access controls restricting read permissions on NMASINST.LOG to authorized administrative users only. System administrators should also implement regular log rotation and cleanup procedures to prevent long-term exposure of sensitive information. The most effective long-term solution involves updating to newer versions of Novell Modular Authentication Service where this logging behavior has been corrected. Organizations should also modify their installation procedures to avoid passing authentication credentials through command line arguments and instead use secure input methods such as configuration files with restricted permissions or interactive prompts. Additionally, monitoring systems should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive log files, providing early warning of potential exploitation attempts.