CVE-2008-4646 in Enterpise
Summary
by MITRE
The Websense Reporter Module in Websense Enterprise 6.3.2 stores the SQL database system administrator password in plaintext in CreateDbInstall.log, which allows local users to gain privileges to the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4646 represents a critical security flaw in the Websense Enterprise 6.3.2 reporting module that exposes database administrative credentials through improper configuration management practices. This issue manifests when the system installer creates a log file named CreateDbInstall.log which contains the SQL database system administrator password in plaintext format, making it accessible to any local user with file system access. The flaw stems from inadequate security controls during the installation process, where sensitive authentication information is written to disk without proper encryption or access restrictions, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors with local system access.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental security principles. The technical implementation flaw occurs during the database installation phase where the system administrator password is written to a log file without any obfuscation or access control measures. The plaintext storage of database credentials provides an immediate privilege escalation vector, as local users can simply read the log file to obtain administrative access to the underlying SQL database. This creates a dangerous situation where any user with local access to the system can potentially gain full administrative control over the database, including the ability to modify, delete, or extract sensitive data stored within the database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, database manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Database administrators who rely on Websense Enterprise for content filtering and monitoring may unknowingly expose sensitive corporate data that flows through their network monitoring systems. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy Websense Enterprise 6.3.2 in environments where local system access is not properly controlled or where multiple users have access to the system. This creates a significant risk for enterprises that handle confidential data, as the database administrator password could provide access to logs, reports, and other sensitive information that the system collects and processes.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves credential access through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The flaw enables attackers to move from initial access to privilege escalation without requiring additional attack vectors, as the credentials are readily available in the filesystem. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file system access to the CreateDbInstall.log file, ensuring proper file permissions are set, and conducting thorough security reviews of installation processes. Additionally, system administrators should be educated about the importance of reviewing installation log files and implementing proper access controls for sensitive information. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, secure configuration management, and proper handling of sensitive data during system installation processes to prevent similar issues in other software components.