CVE-2013-4217 in WiMAX Network Service
Summary
by MITRE
The OSAL_Crypt_SetEncryptedPassword function in InfraStack/OSDependent/Linux/OSAL/Services/wimax_osal_crypt_services.c in the OSAL crypt module in the Intel WiMAX Network Service through 1.5.2 for Intel Wireless WiMAX Connection 2400 devices logs a cleartext password during certain attempts to set a password, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading a log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4217 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Intel WiMAX Network Service software stack. This issue specifically affects versions 1.5.2 and earlier of the Intel Wireless WiMAX Connection 2400 devices, where the operating system abstraction layer (OSAL) crypt module contains a function that inadvertently exposes sensitive authentication credentials during password management operations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of cryptographic operations within the Linux-based OSAL services, creating a persistent security risk that undermines the fundamental security principles of credential protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the OSAL_Crypt_SetEncryptedPassword function located in the file wimax_osal_crypt_services.c within the InfraStack/OSDependent/Linux/OSAL/Services directory structure. When the system attempts to set a new password through this function, it fails to properly sanitize the password data before logging operations, resulting in cleartext credentials being written to log files that remain accessible to local users. This flaw directly violates security best practices for credential handling and demonstrates a classic case of insecure logging practices where sensitive information should never be stored in plaintext format within system logs or persistent storage locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides local attackers with immediate access to authentication credentials that could be used for unauthorized system access or privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects all local users with access to the system's log files, which typically includes regular user accounts, system administrators, and potentially compromised accounts that could leverage this information to gain deeper system access. The persistent nature of log files means that even after the password setting operation completes, the cleartext credentials remain available for extended periods, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit this information. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a significant weakness in the software's security architecture that could enable broader compromise scenarios.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that it operates at the OSAL layer, which serves as a critical abstraction point between the application and the underlying operating system. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform lateral movement within networks where WiMAX devices are deployed, potentially gaining access to additional systems that rely on the same authentication credentials. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security engineering practices in the development lifecycle, as proper input validation and secure logging mechanisms should have prevented this information disclosure scenario. Organizations using affected Intel WiMAX devices should immediately implement mitigations including log file access controls, regular log file monitoring, and credential rotation procedures to reduce the risk of exploitation.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003.001 (OS Credential Dumping: LSASS Memory) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it provides attackers with readily accessible credentials that could be used to authenticate to other systems. The flaw also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as local users should not have access to sensitive credential information even when that information is inadvertently exposed through insecure logging practices. The remediation approach should include immediate patching of the affected software, implementation of secure logging practices, and comprehensive monitoring of log files for potential credential exposure incidents. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as centralized logging with proper access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components.