CVE-2012-2531 in IIS
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.5 uses weak permissions for the Operational log, which allows local users to discover credentials by reading this file, aka "Password Disclosure Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
Microsoft Internet Information Services version 7.5 contains a critical permission configuration flaw that affects the Operational log file, creating a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2012-2531. This vulnerability stems from the improper access control settings applied to the Operational log, which is a critical system component designed to record operational events and activities within the IIS environment. The weak permissions allow local attackers with minimal privileges to access and read the Operational log file directly, potentially exposing sensitive authentication credentials that are logged by the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the misconfiguration of file system permissions for the Operational log file within the IIS 7.5 architecture. When IIS operates, it logs various operational events including authentication attempts, connection details, and other system activities that may inadvertently contain credential information. The Operational log file typically resides in a location where local users can access it without proper authorization controls. This misconfiguration represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and creates an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to authentication tokens and credential information.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations utilizing IIS 7.5, as it allows local users to extract sensitive information that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The credential disclosure can enable attackers to authenticate as legitimate users, potentially gaining access to additional system resources or network services. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system or where privilege separation is not properly enforced, making it a significant concern for enterprise security infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control mechanisms. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the collection of credentials through file system exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including proper file permission configuration, regular security audits of system log files, and enforcement of least privilege principles to prevent unauthorized access to operational logs and sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2531 include configuring appropriate file system permissions for the Operational log file to restrict access to authorized administrative users only, implementing regular monitoring of log file access patterns, and ensuring that IIS 7.5 is updated to versions that address this permission configuration issue. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional logging controls and access monitoring to detect unauthorized attempts to access sensitive operational data. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper system configuration management and highlights the need for comprehensive security assessments of system components to prevent unintentional credential exposure through log file access control failures.