CVE-2013-3287 in Unisphere
Summary
by MITRE
EMC Unisphere for VMAX before 1.6.1.6, when using an unspecified level of debug logging in LDAP configurations, allows local users to discover the cleartext LDAP bind password by reading the console.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2019
This vulnerability exists in EMC Unisphere for VMAX versions prior to 1.6.1.6 where improper handling of debug logging configuration creates a significant information disclosure risk. The flaw occurs when administrators configure LDAP authentication with debug logging enabled, which inadvertently writes sensitive authentication credentials to console output in cleartext format. This represents a critical security oversight that directly violates security best practices for credential handling and logging operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to sanitize debug output when LDAP bind credentials are processed. When debug logging is activated at an unspecified level, the system logs the LDAP bind password alongside other authentication parameters, making it accessible to any local user with console access. This design flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper logging of sensitive data, and specifically demonstrates the weakness of not implementing proper credential sanitization in debug output streams. The vulnerability operates at the application level and affects the authentication subsystem, creating a direct path for privilege escalation through credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local attackers to obtain valid LDAP credentials without requiring additional attack vectors or exploitation techniques. Once an attacker gains console access, they can immediately retrieve the cleartext password and potentially use it to authenticate to external LDAP servers, access privileged systems, or escalate their privileges within the VMAX environment. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access tactics, specifically targeting credential dumping and privilege escalation methods. The impact extends beyond immediate credential theft as compromised LDAP credentials often provide access to broader enterprise resources.
Organizations should immediately disable debug logging for LDAP configurations and ensure that all LDAP bind credentials are properly masked in log output. The recommended mitigation includes updating to EMC Unisphere for VMAX version 1.6.1.6 or later, which contains patches addressing this information disclosure vulnerability. Security administrators should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized console access and establish monitoring for suspicious logging activities. Additionally, organizations should review their LDAP configuration practices to ensure that debug logging is disabled in production environments and that credential handling follows security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security assessments should verify that no sensitive information is being logged in cleartext format, and that all authentication-related debug output is properly sanitized before being written to system logs or console output streams.