CVE-2010-0833 in Likewise Open
Summary
by MITRE
The pam_lsass library in Likewise Open 5.4 and CIFS 5.4 before build 8046, and 6.0 before build 8234, as used in HP StorageWorks X9000 Network Storage Systems and possibly other products, uses "SetPassword logic" when running as part of a root service, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication for a Likewise Security Authority (lsassd) account whose password is marked as expired.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0833 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the pam_lsass library component of Likewise Open authentication software. This issue affects versions 5.4 and earlier of Likewise Open and CIFS products, specifically before build 8046, as well as version 6.0 before build 8234. The vulnerability manifests when the pam_lsass library operates within a root service context, creating a dangerous condition where remote attackers can exploit the authentication mechanism to gain unauthorized access to accounts with expired passwords. The affected systems include HP StorageWorks X9000 Network Storage Systems and potentially other products utilizing the same authentication framework, making this a widespread concern for enterprise storage environments that rely on centralized authentication services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of password expiration states within the SetPassword logic implementation. When the pam_lsass library executes as part of a root service, it fails to properly validate the password expiration status of accounts during authentication attempts. This flaw stems from a design decision that allows the authentication process to proceed even when a password has been marked as expired, effectively creating a backdoor that bypasses normal authentication controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the Likewise Security Authority (lsassd) account, which serves as a critical component in the authentication infrastructure. This represents a classic example of improper access control where the system fails to enforce mandatory access restrictions, aligning with CWE-284 access control violations and potentially CWE-305 authentication bypass conditions. The flaw exists because the system does not properly check account status flags before allowing authentication to proceed, creating a scenario where expired credentials can still be used to authenticate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on the affected systems, as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to critical network storage resources. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to storage systems without proper authentication, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and unauthorized modifications to stored data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the authentication layer, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure, especially in environments where the same authentication credentials are used across multiple systems. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network storage systems, making it a significant concern for enterprise security. The risk is amplified when considering that the vulnerability affects root services, which typically have elevated privileges and access to critical system resources. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain legitimate credentials and use them for further exploitation within the network environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Likewise Open and CIFS software, specifically those beyond the vulnerable builds mentioned in the CVE description. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as account lockout policies, enhanced monitoring for authentication attempts, and network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication flow validation and access control enforcement, particularly for services running with elevated privileges. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all systems utilizing Likewise authentication services and ensure that account expiration policies are properly enforced. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for proper security testing of authentication components and emphasizes the importance of following security best practices such as principle of least privilege and regular security patching to prevent similar issues in the future.