CVE-2010-3244 in Transact Suite
Summary
by MITRE
BbtsConnection_Edit.exe in Blackboard Transact Suite (formerly Blackboard Commerce Suite) before 3.6.0.2 relies on field names when determining whether it is appropriate to decrypt a connection.xml field value, which allows local users to discover the database password via a modified connection.xml file that contains an encrypted password in the <Server> field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3244 affects the Blackboard Transact Suite, formerly known as Blackboard Commerce Suite, specifically targeting version 3.6.0.1 and earlier. This issue resides within the BbtsConnection_Edit.exe component responsible for handling connection configuration files. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the application's authentication mechanisms and exposes sensitive database credentials to unauthorized local access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a flawed validation mechanism within the connection.xml file processing logic. The BbtsConnection_Edit.exe application incorrectly determines whether to decrypt field values based solely on field names rather than implementing proper cryptographic verification or authentication checks. When a local user modifies the connection.xml file to place an encrypted password within the <Server> field, the application's flawed logic automatically attempts to decrypt this field regardless of its intended purpose. This design flaw creates a path where attackers can exploit the application's trust in field naming conventions to extract database passwords that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides local attackers with direct access to backend database systems. The extracted database password enables unauthorized access to sensitive institutional data, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized modifications to educational records. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in educational environments where Blackboard systems handle extensive student and institutional data, making the potential for data exfiltration and system disruption significant.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and CWE-310, related to "Cryptographic Issues," as it represents both improper information disclosure and flawed cryptographic implementation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1005, "Data from Local System," and T1566, "Phishing," as local privilege escalation could lead to further exploitation. The attack vector requires local system access, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that could be leveraged by malicious insiders or attackers who have already gained system access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper field validation and cryptographic verification mechanisms within the application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Blackboard Transact Suite version 3.6.0.2 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to configuration files. The remediation process should include thorough code review of field validation logic, implementation of proper cryptographic verification checks, and establishment of file integrity monitoring for critical configuration files. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar implementation flaws in other applications that rely on field-based validation mechanisms rather than cryptographic authentication.