CVE-2007-5827 in iscsitarget
Summary
by MITRE
iSCSI Enterprise Target (iscsitarget) 0.4.15 uses weak permissions for /etc/ietd.conf, which allows local users to obtain passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5827 affects the iSCSI Enterprise Target software version 0.4.15, specifically targeting the configuration file permissions issue that exposes sensitive authentication credentials. This weakness resides in the default installation configuration where the /etc/ietd.conf file lacks appropriate access controls, creating an insecure by default condition that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper file permission management. The iSCSI Enterprise Target serves as a software-based storage target implementation that enables servers to provide block-level storage services over iSCSI protocol, making it a critical component in enterprise storage infrastructures where unauthorized access to authentication credentials could lead to significant data compromise.
The technical flaw manifests through improper file permission settings on the configuration file that stores authentication information including user credentials and access controls for iSCSI targets. The weak permissions typically allow local users to read the configuration file contents, thereby enabling privilege escalation attacks where unauthorized individuals can extract passwords and authentication tokens necessary to access iSCSI storage resources. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-732 - Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses situations where critical system resources receive inadequate access controls. The flaw represents a classic case of insecure default configuration where security measures are not properly enforced during installation, leaving the system in a vulnerable state that requires manual intervention to correct.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with the means to establish unauthorized access to enterprise storage systems. Local users who gain read access to the configuration file can potentially access multiple iSCSI targets, compromise data integrity, and perform unauthorized operations on storage resources. This represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where iSCSI targets are used to provide storage services to multiple servers and applications, as the extracted credentials could enable attackers to access sensitive corporate data stored on these systems. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 - Unsecured Credentials, which focuses on the exploitation of stored credentials that lack proper protection mechanisms, and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the extracted credentials could be used to escalate privileges within the storage infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5827 require immediate implementation of proper file permission controls on the configuration file, ensuring that only authorized administrative processes can access the sensitive information. The recommended approach involves setting restrictive permissions such as 600 or 640 on the /etc/ietd.conf file, making it readable only by the root user or designated administrative groups. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular security audits to verify that configuration files maintain appropriate access controls and implement automated monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The fix should be implemented as part of a broader security hardening process that includes regular updates to the iSCSI Enterprise Target software, proper access control implementation, and comprehensive security configuration management practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional monitoring controls to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to storage infrastructure components, ensuring defense in depth principles are maintained throughout their storage network architecture.