CVE-2008-4315 in Enterprise Linux Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
tog-pegasus in OpenGroup Pegasus 2.7.0 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5, Fedora 9, and Fedora 10 does not log failed authentication attempts to the OpenPegasus CIM server, which makes it easier for remote attackers to avoid detection of password guessing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4315 affects the OpenPegasus CIM server implementation within the tog-pegasus package version 2.7.0 across multiple Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora distributions. This represents a significant security weakness in the authentication logging mechanism of the CIM (Common Information Model) server that operates as part of the OpenPegasus framework. The issue specifically relates to the absence of logging for failed authentication attempts, creating a blind spot in the security monitoring capabilities of systems utilizing this software stack.
The technical flaw stems from the software's failure to properly record and log unsuccessful authentication events that occur during access attempts to the CIM server. This omission creates a scenario where malicious actors can perform password guessing or brute force attacks without leaving detectable traces in the system logs. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and auditability, as the system cannot provide comprehensive authentication event records necessary for security monitoring and incident response activities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of affected systems by enabling attackers to conduct prolonged password guessing campaigns without risk of detection through standard log analysis procedures. The lack of failed authentication logging creates an environment where unauthorized access attempts can remain hidden for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to successfully compromise accounts through repeated guessing attempts. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments that rely on CIM server functionality for system management and monitoring.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-778 (Insufficient Logging) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1110 (Brute Force) as it enables attackers to conduct password guessing attacks with reduced risk of detection. Organizations utilizing affected versions of OpenPegasus may experience undetected unauthorized access attempts, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in the security logging infrastructure that should be addressed through proper audit trail implementation and monitoring configuration.
Effective mitigation strategies include implementing proper logging configuration for authentication events, deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual authentication patterns, and ensuring that all authentication attempts are properly recorded and monitored. System administrators should also consider implementing account lockout mechanisms and monitoring tools that can detect rapid authentication failure patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive logging requirements as specified in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-92 and ISO 27001 controls for audit logging and monitoring activities.