CVE-2014-4311 in Epicor Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Epicor Enterprise 7.4 before FS74SP6_HotfixTL054181 allows attackers to obtain the (1) Database Connection and (2) E-mail Connection passwords by reading HTML source code of the database connection and email settings page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4311 affects Epicor Enterprise 7.4 prior to FS74SP6_HotfixTL054181, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the database connection and email connection password fields within the Epicor Enterprise administrative interface, where attackers can retrieve plaintext credentials by examining the HTML source code of configuration pages. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize output containing sensitive information, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly access credential storage mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple yet effective method of source code inspection, where attackers navigate to the database connection and email settings pages within the Epicor Enterprise administrative interface. When these pages are rendered, the application outputs the password fields with their values visible in the HTML source code, typically as attribute values or within script elements. This represents a classic example of insecure output handling and violates fundamental security principles regarding credential storage and transmission. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper output sanitization leading to information exposure, and demonstrates how weak input validation combined with insufficient output filtering creates attack vectors for credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with direct access to critical system components that may enable further exploitation within the enterprise environment. Database connection credentials could allow attackers to directly access corporate databases, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, or exfiltration of sensitive business information. Email connection credentials could enable attackers to send malicious emails, relay spam, or conduct phishing campaigns using the legitimate organization's email infrastructure. This vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can remain undetected for extended periods, as the exposed credentials can be used for both initial compromise and ongoing lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through standard web browser functionality.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address the exposure risk. The primary remediation involves applying the vendor-provided hotfix FS74SP6_HotfixTL054181, which properly sanitizes output containing sensitive information and prevents plaintext credential exposure in HTML source code. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict access controls to limit administrative interface access to authorized personnel only, utilizing multi-factor authentication and network segmentation to reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for exposed credentials in web application source code and implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and implementing proper credential management practices, including regular password rotation and secure credential storage mechanisms that do not expose sensitive information in application output. The incident underscores the necessity of conducting regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar output sanitization issues that may exist within other enterprise applications.