CVE-2014-4869 in Vyatta 5400 Vrouter Software
Summary
by MITRE
The Brocade Vyatta 5400 vRouter 6.4R(x), 6.6R(x), and 6.7R1 allows attackers to obtain sensitive encrypted-password information by leveraging membership in the operator group.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4869 affects the Brocade Vyatta 5400 vRouter running software versions 6.4R(x), 6.6R(x), and 6.7R1, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized access to encrypted password information. This issue stems from insufficient privilege controls within the router's authentication framework, specifically targeting the operator group membership permissions. The vulnerability operates under the principle of least privilege violation where legitimate users with operator-level access can exploit their elevated position to extract sensitive credential data that should remain protected from such access levels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the router's access control mechanisms that allows members of the operator group to view encrypted password information through specific command interfaces or configuration file access points. This represents a weakness in the authentication and authorization framework where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions between different privilege levels. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control, and specifically demonstrates how inadequate privilege separation can lead to credential exposure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage their membership in the operator group to access password hashes and encrypted credentials that should only be visible to administrators with full privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the fundamental security posture of the network infrastructure. When attackers gain access to encrypted password information, they can potentially use this data to escalate privileges further within the network or conduct credential stuffing attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects network security by undermining the trust model of the router's authentication system and creating potential lateral movement opportunities for threat actors. Organizations using these specific router versions face increased risk of unauthorized network access, configuration changes, and potential data breaches that could compromise entire network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4869 should prioritize immediate software updates to the latest available versions of the Brocade Vyatta vRouter software that address the access control flaw. Network administrators must also implement strict access control policies that limit operator group membership to only essential personnel and regularly audit group memberships to prevent unauthorized access. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary operator group access, implementing stronger authentication mechanisms, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect suspicious access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege more rigorously, ensuring that operator group members only have access to the specific functions necessary for their operational roles. This vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management programs to prevent exploitation of known access control weaknesses. The remediation approach should align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and follow ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.