CVE-2014-5504 in Log
Summary
by MITRE
SolarWinds Log and Event Manager before 6.0 uses "static" credentials, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access to the database and execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, related to HyperSQL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5504 affects SolarWinds Log and Event Manager versions prior to 6.0, presenting a critical security weakness that stems from the use of static credentials within the HyperSQL database component. This flaw creates an exploitable condition that significantly weakens the overall security posture of the system, as it provides attackers with persistent access credentials that remain unchanged throughout the system's operational lifecycle. The static nature of these credentials means they are hardcoded within the application and do not rotate or change, making them particularly susceptible to discovery and exploitation by malicious actors who gain access to the system through other means.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides within the HyperSQL database management system that SolarWinds Log and Event Manager utilizes for its backend operations. When the application initializes, it loads database connection parameters that include static username and password combinations, which are typically stored in configuration files or embedded within the application code itself. These credentials are designed to provide the application with persistent access to the database, but their static nature creates a persistent attack surface that attackers can exploit without needing to perform complex credential guessing or brute force attempts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because HyperSQL, while designed for embedded use cases, is being used in a production environment where persistent database access can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. This capability stems from the fact that the static credentials grant sufficient privileges within the database context to allow for data manipulation, database schema changes, and potentially system-level commands execution. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can escalate their access from simple database queries to full system compromise, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system disruption, or use as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, including web-based attacks, network-based exploitation, or even physical access scenarios that could allow an attacker to leverage these static credentials.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several common attack patterns and threat models, particularly those outlined in the attack technique catalog where static credentials represent a well-known weakness that attackers frequently target. This vulnerability can be classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration category related to weak credential management and hard-coded credentials, which directly maps to CWE-798 and CWE-259. Organizations utilizing SolarWinds Log and Event Manager before version 6.0 face significant risk exposure, as the static credentials provide attackers with a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of other security controls. The attack surface is further expanded because these credentials are likely used for multiple purposes within the application architecture, making the compromise of a single set of static credentials potentially devastating to overall system security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the SolarWinds Log and Event Manager to version 6.0 or later, where the static credential issue has been addressed through proper credential management and dynamic credential generation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive credential rotation policies, even for internal systems, and ensure that all database access credentials are properly managed through secure credential management systems. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized database access attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their SolarWinds installations to identify any other instances of hard-coded credentials or static authentication mechanisms that may present similar vulnerabilities, as this represents a broader class of security issues that require systematic remediation across the entire application architecture.