CVE-2012-4933 in ZENworks Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
The rtrlet web application in the Web Console in Novell ZENworks Asset Management (ZAM) 7.5 uses a hard-coded username of Ivanhoe and a hard-coded password of Scott for the (1) GetFile_Password and (2) GetConfigInfo_Password operations, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted rtrlet/rtr request for the HandleMaintenanceCalls function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4933 resides within the Novell ZENworks Asset Management 7.5 web console implementation, specifically affecting the rtrlet web application component. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the application's maintenance call processing functionality. The vulnerability manifests through the hardcoded authentication credentials that are embedded within the application code, creating a persistent security weakness that cannot be easily remediated through standard configuration changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of hard-coded credentials with specific username "Ivanhoe" and password "Scott" for two distinct operations within the rtrlet web application. These hardcoded values are utilized in the GetFile_Password and GetConfigInfo_Password operations that are part of the HandleMaintenanceCalls function. This design pattern violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust relationships within the web console framework to execute unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data and file retrieval capabilities within the ZENworks Asset Management environment. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific rtrlet/rtr requests that target the HandleMaintenanceCalls function, thereby bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability affects organizations using Novell ZENworks Asset Management 7.5 and creates potential for data exfiltration, system compromise, and unauthorized administrative access to asset management functions. The impact is particularly severe because the credentials are hardcoded and cannot be changed without modifying the application binaries, making it a persistent threat that remains active across system restarts and updates.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious file or code execution. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of credential dumping and privilege escalation attacks, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system information. Organizations implementing Novell ZENworks Asset Management 7.5 should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate the affected web console components, disable unnecessary rtrlet functionality, and consider implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of ZENworks Asset Management that removes the hardcoded credentials and implements proper authentication mechanisms. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other hardcoded credentials within the organization's legacy systems, as this represents a common pattern in older enterprise applications that may be present in other software components.