CVE-2012-2173 in Security AppScan Source
Summary
by MITRE
The ODBC driver in IBM Security AppScan Source 7.x and 8.x before 8.6 sends an SHA-1 hash of the connection password during connections to a solidDB database, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2173 represents a significant security flaw in IBM Security AppScan Source versions 7.x and 8.x prior to 8.6, specifically within the ODBC driver component that interfaces with solidDB database systems. This weakness stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials during network communication, creating an avenue for attackers to compromise sensitive information through passive network monitoring techniques. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects database connectivity protocols, making it particularly concerning for environments where security AppScan Source is deployed for application security testing purposes.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the ODBC driver transmitting an SHA-1 hash of the database connection password across the network during the authentication process. This approach violates fundamental security principles by failing to implement proper cryptographic protection for sensitive authentication data. The SHA-1 algorithm, while once considered acceptable for cryptographic purposes, has been widely deprecated due to known vulnerabilities and collision attacks that make it susceptible to exploitation. When attackers capture this network traffic through packet sniffing operations, they can potentially reverse-engineer or brute-force the password hash to obtain the actual connection credentials. This represents a classic example of weak cryptographic implementation and improper credential handling practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized database access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Organizations using IBM Security AppScan Source for application security testing may inadvertently expose their database credentials to attackers who monitor network traffic, particularly in environments where security scanning occurs across untrusted networks or where network segmentation is insufficient. The vulnerability affects both major versions 7.x and 8.x of the software, indicating a prolonged period of exposure without proper remediation. This issue falls under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, representing multiple cryptographic weaknesses in the implementation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques, specifically targeting credential dumping and network sniffing methods. Attackers can leverage this weakness by positioning themselves on the network to capture the ODBC connection traffic, which typically occurs during the authentication handshake between the AppScan Source application and the solidDB database. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper network segmentation, using encrypted communication channels, and ensuring that authentication credentials are not transmitted in easily reversible formats. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns and ensure that all database communications utilize secure protocols such as SSL/TLS encryption. The remediation approach requires updating to IBM Security AppScan Source version 8.6 or later, where the implementation has been corrected to prevent the transmission of password hashes over the network.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in security tools and applications, particularly those designed to protect against security threats. The flaw serves as a reminder that security tools themselves can become attack vectors if not properly implemented with security best practices. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their security tooling to ensure that the tools used for protection do not introduce additional vulnerabilities into their environments. The incident also underscores the necessity of following industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and ensuring that all authentication mechanisms implement appropriate security controls to protect sensitive information during transmission.