CVE-2011-3198 in Domain Technologie Control
Summary
by MITRE
Domain Technologie Control (DTC) before 0.34.1 includes a password in the -b command line argument to htpasswd, which might allow local users to read the password by listing the process and its arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3198 affects Domain Technologie Control (DTC) versions prior to 0341, presenting a critical security flaw in how command line arguments are handled during authentication processes. This issue arises from the improper handling of sensitive information within process execution contexts, creating an avenue for privilege escalation and credential exposure. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the htpasswd utility is invoked with the -b command line argument, which accepts a password parameter directly from the command line interface.
The technical flaw stems from the insecure exposure of authentication credentials through process argument lists, a practice that violates fundamental security principles of credential handling and process isolation. When DTC executes htpasswd with the -b flag, the password becomes visible in the process table accessible to local users through standard system monitoring tools. This exposure occurs because command line arguments are typically stored in memory alongside process metadata, making them accessible to any process with appropriate permissions or system access. The vulnerability represents a classic case of information disclosure through process enumeration, where sensitive data is inadvertently exposed through normal system operations rather than through malicious exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to obtain authentication credentials without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. The exposure of passwords through process arguments creates an immediate threat to system security, as attackers can simply enumerate running processes to discover credential information. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share system resources or where system monitoring is performed by users with limited access rights. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as compromised passwords can lead to further privilege escalation, unauthorized access to protected resources, and potential lateral movement within networked environments.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling categories including CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and relates to ATT&CK techniques such as credential access through process discovery and privilege escalation via local credentials. Organizations implementing DTC software without proper patching or mitigation measures face significant risk of credential compromise, particularly in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant systems where process visibility is not properly restricted. The issue demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper handling of sensitive data within system utilities, emphasizing the need for command line argument sanitization and credential management best practices.
Recommended mitigations include immediate patching of DTC installations to version 0341 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper handling of command line arguments. System administrators should implement process monitoring to detect and alert on suspicious process execution patterns, particularly those involving authentication utilities with credential parameters. Additional protective measures include restricting process visibility through system configuration, implementing proper access controls for system monitoring tools, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Organizations should also consider implementing credential management solutions that do not rely on command line arguments for sensitive information handling, thereby reducing the attack surface associated with process-based credential exposure.