CVE-2009-2977 in CS-MARS
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (CS-MARS) 6.0.4 and earlier stores cleartext passwords in log/sysbacktrace.## files within error-logs.tar.gz archives, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading these files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2018
The Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (CS-MARS) version 6.0.4 and earlier contains a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper data handling practices. This vulnerability resides in the system's error logging mechanism where cleartext passwords are inadvertently stored in log files that are packaged within error-logs.tar.gz archives. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the system's information security architecture as it violates fundamental principles of credential protection and secure logging practices. The vulnerability specifically affects the log/sysbacktrace files which are generated during system error conditions and contain sensitive authentication information in an easily accessible format.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the system's failure to properly sanitize or encrypt sensitive data before storing it in log files. When CS-MARS encounters system errors or exceptions, it generates comprehensive error logs that include system backtraces and diagnostic information. However, these logs contain unencrypted passwords in cleartext format, making them immediately exploitable by any attacker who can access the error-logs.tar.gz archives. The flaw operates at the application level and represents a direct violation of security best practices for logging and credential management. This issue aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) categories, demonstrating how poor data handling in error conditions can create persistent security exposures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to system authentication credentials that could be used for lateral movement within networks or for gaining unauthorized administrative access. Context-dependent attackers who can access the error-logs.tar.gz archives gain immediate access to password information without requiring additional exploitation techniques or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently in the background during system error conditions and can remain undetected for extended periods. This exposure creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access and conduct extended reconnaissance or attack campaigns. The flaw also violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate security controls for sensitive data handling within system diagnostics.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to error log archives, implementing proper log sanitization procedures, and upgrading to patched versions of CS-MARS software. The recommended approach involves deploying access controls to limit who can read the error-logs.tar.gz archives, implementing automated log scanning to detect sensitive information, and ensuring that all system components properly encrypt sensitive data before storage. Security teams should also implement monitoring for unusual access patterns to system error logs and establish procedures for regular log review and sanitization. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of system error handling mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign system diagnostics can create significant security exposure points and underscores the necessity of following security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management.