CVE-2012-4610 in Avamar
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Avamar Client for VMware 6.1 stores the cleartext server root password on the proxy client, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging "network access" to the proxy client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4610 represents a critical security flaw in EMC Avamar Client for VMware version 6.1 that fundamentally compromises the confidentiality of authentication credentials. This issue arises from the improper handling of sensitive information within the proxy client component, where cleartext server root passwords are persistently stored in an accessible manner. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles regarding credential storage and access control, creating a persistent exposure that can be exploited by malicious actors with network access to the compromised system. The vulnerability specifically affects the proxy client functionality that facilitates communication between the VMware environment and the EMC Avamar backup infrastructure, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this backup solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the client-side storage mechanism that fails to properly encrypt or obfuscate authentication credentials. When the Avamar Client for VMware establishes connections to the server, it requires root credentials for authentication purposes, which are then stored in cleartext format within the proxy client environment. This approach creates a persistent security risk where any unauthorized individual with network access to the proxy client system can directly extract these credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The vulnerability operates at the application level and can be classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), both of which are recognized weakness categories in the CWE database that specifically address credential exposure vulnerabilities. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor for attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain direct access to the backup infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations utilizing EMC Avamar for VMware backup solutions, as it enables attackers to obtain complete administrative access to the backup infrastructure. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or elevated privileges to extract the stored credentials, making the attack surface significantly broader than typical credential exposure vulnerabilities. Once attackers obtain the cleartext root password, they can perform unauthorized backup operations, modify backup policies, access backup data, and potentially escalate their privileges within the broader VMware environment. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the system is properly patched or the cleartext credentials are manually removed, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the backup infrastructure. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where backup systems often contain sensitive organizational data and serve as critical recovery points for business continuity.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4610 should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by EMC, which would address the cleartext credential storage mechanism within the Avamar Client for VMware proxy component. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to proxy client systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel and systems can reach these components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing credential rotation procedures that regularly update backup credentials, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers who might have obtained the stored credentials. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to proxy client systems, and network access controls should be configured to restrict communication paths to only necessary endpoints. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and implementing proper access controls for backup infrastructure components. Organizations should consider adopting more secure credential management approaches such as certificate-based authentication or token-based systems that do not rely on storing cleartext passwords. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security assessments of the backup infrastructure to identify and address similar credential storage vulnerabilities across the entire backup ecosystem. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure credential handling practices and the need for regular security assessments of backup and recovery systems that often contain the most sensitive organizational data.