CVE-2012-3312 in InfoSphere Guardium
Summary
by MITRE
The datasource definition editor in IBM InfoSphere Guardium 8.2 and earlier, when the save-password setting is enabled, transmits cleartext database credentials, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3312 affects IBM InfoSphere Guardium versions 8.2 and earlier, specifically within its datasource definition editor component. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the system's credential handling mechanisms, where database authentication information is transmitted in cleartext format over network connections. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when the save-password configuration setting is enabled, as this feature deliberately stores and transmits authentication credentials without adequate encryption or protection measures. The affected system operates under the assumption that network traffic between components remains secure, failing to implement proper cryptographic protections for sensitive data transmission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of secure communication protocols during credential transmission processes. When users configure datasource definitions with the save-password option enabled, the system performs network operations that expose plain text authentication credentials to any network monitoring tools or malicious actors who can intercept traffic. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles for credential management and network communication. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where authentication data flows between the Guardium interface and backend database systems, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through passive network sniffing techniques. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this represents a weakness categorized under CWE-312, specifically describing the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to database systems that are protected by the Guardium monitoring infrastructure. An attacker who successfully intercepts these cleartext credentials can establish direct database connections, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Guardium for security monitoring, as it undermines the very purpose of the system by providing attackers with means to bypass the protection mechanisms that Guardium is designed to enforce. Network sniffing tools such as tcpdump, Wireshark, or specialized packet analyzers can easily capture and decode these transmissions, making exploitation relatively straightforward for threat actors with basic networking knowledge. The attack vector aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential access through network sniffing.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that address the root cause of this vulnerability by disabling the save-password feature in configurations where network security cannot be guaranteed. The recommended approach involves configuring Guardium to require explicit credential entry for each datasource connection rather than storing and transmitting credentials in cleartext. Network segmentation and the implementation of secure communication channels through VPNs or encrypted tunnels can provide additional protective layers. Security patches and updates from IBM should be deployed immediately to address the underlying flaw in the datasource editor component. The mitigation strategy should also include network monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized credential transmission attempts, as well as regular security assessments to identify other potential cleartext credential exposure points within the organization's infrastructure. System administrators must ensure that all database authentication information is protected through proper encryption mechanisms and that network traffic containing sensitive data is secured through appropriate security controls.