CVE-2010-3264 in Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The engine installer in Novell Identity Manager (aka IDM) 3.6.1 stores admin tree credentials in /tmp/idmInstall.log, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3264 resides within the Novell Identity Manager version 3.6.1 engine installer component, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on this identity management solution. This issue manifests through the improper handling of administrative credentials during the installation process, where sensitive authentication data is written to a world-readable log file located in the /tmp directory. The vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege separation and secure file handling practices within the installer utility, creating an exploitable condition that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure credential management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installer's failure to properly secure administrative credentials during installation operations, specifically storing these credentials in plaintext format within /tmp/idmInstall.log without appropriate access controls or encryption mechanisms. This log file exists in a temporary directory that is typically accessible to all local users on Unix-like systems, making the stored credentials immediately available to any user with local system access. The flaw represents a direct violation of security best practices for credential handling and demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization during the installation process. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data in Memory) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) classifications, as it exposes authentication information through insecure storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as local attackers can leverage this information to gain elevated privileges within the Novell Identity Manager environment. Once credentials are obtained, attackers can potentially access the administrative tree, modify user accounts, manipulate identity data, or establish persistent access points within the identity management infrastructure. This represents a significant escalation path from local user access to administrative control, undermining the integrity and confidentiality of the entire identity management system. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks where Novell Identity Manager is deployed, as these credentials may be reused across multiple systems or applications. The risk assessment categorizes this as a high-severity issue due to the combination of local access requirements with the potential for administrative privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future deployments. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a version that resolves this credential storage issue, while also implementing additional security controls such as restricting access to the /tmp directory and monitoring for unauthorized access to sensitive log files. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of temporary file locations to identify and remediate similar credential exposure issues across other applications. The implementation of proper secure credential handling practices, including encrypted storage mechanisms, privilege separation, and secure logging protocols, should be enforced throughout the software development lifecycle. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing for Information) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage the exposed credentials to maintain persistence within the target environment. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to sensitive log files and establish regular security assessments to identify similar insecure credential handling patterns in other enterprise applications.