CVE-2013-7484 in Zabbix
Summary
by MITRE
Zabbix before 5.0 represents passwords in the users table with unsalted MD5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7484 affects Zabbix monitoring solutions prior to version 5.0, specifically addressing a critical weakness in password storage implementation. This flaw represents a significant security risk as it exposes user credentials to potential exploitation through well-established cryptographic attacks. The vulnerability stems from the use of unsalted MD5 hashing for password storage, a practice that violates fundamental security principles and industry best practices. Organizations relying on affected Zabbix versions face substantial risk of credential compromise, particularly given the widespread adoption of this monitoring platform across enterprise environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the database schema where user passwords are stored using MD5 hashing without salt values, creating a deterministic cryptographic vulnerability. This implementation violates the core security principle that password hashes should incorporate unique salt values to prevent rainbow table attacks and make precomputed hash lookups ineffective. The absence of salting means that identical passwords across different users will produce identical hash values, enabling attackers to identify compromised accounts through simple hash comparison techniques. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-759, which specifically addresses the use of a one-way hash without a salt value, and CWE-760, which covers the use of a weak hash with a predictable salt. The implementation also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, where adversaries exploit weak credential storage mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations using affected Zabbix versions. Attackers can leverage publicly available rainbow tables and hash cracking tools to quickly reverse engineer passwords, particularly affecting users who employ common or weak passwords. The vulnerability affects all user accounts within the Zabbix system, creating a single point of failure that can compromise entire monitoring infrastructures. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and reputational damage when compromised credentials are used to access sensitive network monitoring data. The vulnerability's persistence in the database means that even after initial compromise, attackers can maintain access through stolen credentials, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent threats within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7484 require immediate implementation of proper password storage mechanisms and comprehensive system updates. Organizations should upgrade to Zabbix version 5.0 or later, where proper salting and stronger hashing algorithms are implemented. System administrators must conduct thorough password resets for all affected user accounts, particularly those with administrative privileges. The implementation of proper password policies, including minimum length requirements, complexity rules, and regular rotation schedules, should accompany the technical fixes. Security teams should deploy monitoring solutions to detect potential unauthorized access attempts and implement multi-factor authentication for critical administrative accounts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their security stack, ensuring that similar cryptographic weaknesses do not exist in related systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following established security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B for password management and authentication practices.