CVE-2011-1655 in Total Defense
Summary
by MITRE
The management.asmx module in the Management Web Service in the Unified Network Control (UNC) Server in CA Total Defense (TD) r12 before SE2 sends a cleartext response to unspecified getDBConfigSettings requests, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain database credentials, and subsequently execute arbitrary code, by sniffing the network, related to the UNCWS Web Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1655 resides within the management.asmx module of the Management Web Service in CA Total Defense r12 before SE2's Unified Network Control server. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that exposes sensitive database credentials through unencrypted network communications, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors operating in the same network segment. The vulnerability specifically affects the UNCWS Web Service component that handles getDBConfigSettings requests, where the system fails to implement proper encryption mechanisms for response data transmission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of secure communication protocols during the response handling process for database configuration requests. When the management.asmx module processes getDBConfigSettings requests, it transmits database connection parameters and credential information in cleartext format over the network, without any form of encryption or tokenization. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission. The lack of encryption creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where network sniffing tools can easily capture and decode the transmitted credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers who can intercept network traffic can obtain database credentials and subsequently execute arbitrary code on the target system, effectively gaining administrative privileges and complete control over the affected infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1566, focusing on credential harvesting through network sniffing. The compromised system becomes vulnerable to data exfiltration, lateral movement, and persistent access, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where the UNC server likely serves as a central management point for network security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1655 require immediate implementation of network encryption protocols and access controls. Organizations should deploy secure communication channels using SSL/TLS encryption for all web service communications, ensuring that database credentials are never transmitted in cleartext format. The recommended approach involves upgrading to CA Total Defense SE2 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper encryption implementation. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate credential harvesting attempts. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and network monitoring can help detect unauthorized access attempts and reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper authentication handling, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten category A02:2021, which emphasizes the need for secure authentication mechanisms and protection against credential exposure through insecure communications.