CVE-2011-2143 in Datacap Taskmaster Capture
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Datacap Taskmaster Capture 8.0.1 before FP1, when Windows Authentication is enabled, allows remote attackers to obtain login access by using an incorrect password in conjunction with an account name from a different domain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
IBM Datacap Taskmaster Capture version 8.0.1 before fix pack 1 contains a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that stems from improper handling of cross-domain authentication attempts. This vulnerability operates under the weakness category of CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms, specifically targeting the Windows Authentication protocol implementation within the application. The flaw manifests when an attacker submits a valid username from a different domain alongside an incorrect password, enabling them to bypass the normal authentication process and gain unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly validate domain context during authentication attempts, creating a path for credential stuffing attacks where attackers can enumerate valid accounts across domain boundaries without triggering typical account lockout mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of multi-domain environments where Datacap Taskmaster Capture is deployed. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform reconnaissance activities by testing various domain-account combinations, potentially identifying valid credentials across different domains within the enterprise network. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on domain-separated security zones, as the vulnerability effectively allows lateral movement between these security boundaries. The vulnerability affects the authentication subsystem at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it operates below the network level where traditional firewall rules and network segmentation controls may not prevent the attack vector.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for both internal and external threat actors. The attack pattern follows a specific sequence where the application accepts the cross-domain username and password combination, then incorrectly processes the authentication failure, allowing the attacker to proceed as if they had successfully authenticated. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, specifically targeting legitimate user accounts through authentication bypass mechanisms. Organizations utilizing this version of Datacap Taskmaster Capture are particularly vulnerable because the fix pack 1 addresses this specific issue through enhanced domain validation and proper authentication error handling that prevents the leakage of account validity information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of IBM fix pack 1 which addresses the authentication flow issue by implementing proper domain validation checks and ensuring that authentication failures are handled consistently regardless of domain context. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual authentication patterns, particularly cross-domain authentication attempts that deviate from normal usage patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication error handling and domain context validation in enterprise applications, serving as a reminder that authentication mechanisms must account for all possible attack vectors including cross-domain credential validation. Organizations should also review their domain trust relationships and implement additional controls such as account lockout policies and multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all systems undergo regular security assessments to identify similar authentication-related weaknesses.