CVE-2011-4046 in Kace K2000 Systems Deployment Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
The Dell KACE K2000 System Deployment Appliance stores the recovery account password in cleartext within a PHP script, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by examining script source code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4046 affects the Dell KACE K2000 System Deployment Appliance, a network-based system management tool designed for deploying and managing operating systems across enterprise environments. This appliance serves as a centralized platform for IT administrators to automate system deployments, manage software updates, and perform various system maintenance tasks. The specific flaw resides within the appliance's web interface implementation where security-sensitive information is improperly stored in plaintext format. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of cleartext credentials within application code. The affected component is a PHP script that contains the recovery account password in an easily accessible format, making it susceptible to unauthorized access through simple source code examination.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when context-dependent attackers gain access to the web server hosting the KACE appliance and can retrieve the PHP script containing the cleartext password. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which involves the acquisition of credentials through unsecured storage of sensitive information. The flaw represents a critical security oversight where the appliance fails to implement proper cryptographic protection for sensitive data, despite the system being designed for enterprise-level security management. The cleartext storage of administrative credentials creates a significant risk vector that directly violates security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Special Publication 800-53, which emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive information through appropriate cryptographic measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the KACE management environment. Once an attacker obtains the recovery account password, they can potentially access all managed systems through the appliance, compromise the entire deployment infrastructure, and gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system management ecosystem, as the recovery account typically possesses administrative privileges necessary for system configuration and access control management. This creates a cascading security risk where a single compromised credential can lead to complete system compromise, particularly in environments where the KACE appliance serves as the primary deployment and management platform for numerous networked devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper credential storage mechanisms including encryption of sensitive data at rest, implementation of secure key management practices, and regular security assessments of web applications. Organizations should ensure that all sensitive information within application code is protected through appropriate cryptographic techniques, following guidelines established in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, as highlighted in the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on preventing information disclosure through insecure storage. Remediation efforts should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of access controls to limit source code exposure, and establishment of security monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system components. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in cleartext storage practices and implement automated scanning tools to prevent future occurrences of such security flaws.