CVE-2008-3777 in Communication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The SIP Enablement Services (SES) Server in Avaya SIP Enablement Services 5.0, and Communication Manager (CM) 5.0 on the S8300C with SES enabled, writes account names and passwords to the (1) alarm and (2) system logs during failed login attempts, which allows local users to obtain login credentials by reading these logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3777 represents a critical security flaw within Avaya's SIP Enablement Services infrastructure, specifically affecting versions 5.0 of both SES Server and Communication Manager running on S8300C hardware. This weakness stems from improper handling of authentication failures within the system's logging mechanisms, creating a significant exposure that directly compromises user credential security. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes failed login attempts, automatically recording sensitive authentication information in publicly accessible log files without adequate sanitization or access controls.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the system's failure to properly sanitize authentication data during error processing. When authentication attempts fail, the SES Server and Communication Manager components log not only the failed attempt details but also include the account names and passwords in both alarm and system logs. This occurs during the normal operation of the logging subsystem, which operates with minimal access controls or encryption mechanisms. The logging process writes these credentials in plain text format to files that may be accessible to local users with basic system permissions, effectively creating a credential repository that undermines the fundamental security of the authentication system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with persistent access to authentication information that can be leveraged for further compromise. Local users who gain access to these log files can extract account names and passwords, potentially enabling them to perform unauthorized access to the SIP services, escalate privileges within the system, or conduct lateral movement attacks against other components that may share similar credential structures. This vulnerability directly violates security best practices established by standards such as the CWE-532 category, which specifically addresses information exposure through log files, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1562.001 for disabling security tools, as compromised credentials can be used to bypass security controls.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical sophistication, as local access to the system is sufficient to read the log files containing the credentials. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning for environments where local user access controls are not properly enforced or where system administrators fail to implement proper log rotation and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability's persistence is enhanced by the fact that these log files typically remain accessible for extended periods without automatic cleanup, creating long-term exposure windows. Organizations implementing Avaya SES and CM solutions must consider this vulnerability as a critical threat that requires immediate remediation through proper log management procedures, access controls, and system hardening measures.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper log sanitization procedures that prevent credential information from being written to system logs, establishing strict access controls on log file directories, and implementing regular log rotation and cleanup processes. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary logging of authentication details and ensuring that system administrators regularly audit log file permissions and access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security principles such as least privilege access and defense in depth, as proper implementation of these controls would have prevented the exposure of sensitive information. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unauthorized access to log files and alert administrators to potential credential theft activities.