CVE-2014-7883 in Universal Configuration Management Database
Summary
by MITRE
HP Universal CMDB (UCMDB) Probe 9.05, 10.01, and 10.11 enables the HTTP TRACE method, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading the headers of a response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7883 affects HP Universal CMDB Probe versions 9.05, 10.01, and 10.11, representing a significant security flaw in the HTTP protocol implementation that enables the TRACE method. This configuration issue creates an avenue for remote attackers to exploit the system and extract sensitive information from HTTP responses through header inspection. The vulnerability stems from the unnecessary enabling of HTTP TRACE functionality, which was designed primarily for debugging purposes but can be misused to compromise system security. The flaw specifically relates to the server configuration allowing TRACE requests to be processed and responded to, thereby exposing potentially sensitive header data that could include authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other confidential information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the HTTP TRACE method is enabled on the affected HP UCMDB Probe servers. When a remote attacker sends a TRACE request to the vulnerable system, the server responds with the original request headers as they were received, effectively allowing the attacker to observe and capture sensitive information that may have been transmitted in those headers. This represents a direct violation of information disclosure principles and creates a potential data leakage scenario where authentication credentials or other confidential data could be intercepted. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-1021, which specifically addresses improper restriction of excessive HTTP requests, and falls within the broader category of information disclosure flaws that can lead to credential theft and session hijacking. The TRACE method, when enabled, can be exploited through various attack vectors including cross-site scripting attacks, where the TRACE method can be used to bypass security restrictions and access sensitive headers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage the TRACE method to gather information about the internal network structure, identify running services, and extract authentication tokens that could be used to impersonate legitimate users. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where HP UCMDB Probe systems are deployed in enterprise networks, as these systems often handle sensitive configuration data and may be positioned at critical points in the infrastructure. The exposure of header information through TRACE requests can facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking attempts, and credential harvesting operations that could result in unauthorized access to enterprise resources. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for credential access, highlighting the potential for both network protocol exploitation and credential theft activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7883 should focus on disabling the HTTP TRACE method through proper server configuration, which can be achieved by modifying the web server settings to reject TRACE requests or by implementing a security policy that explicitly blocks this method. Organizations should implement comprehensive security hardening procedures that include disabling unnecessary HTTP methods and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar configuration issues across their infrastructure. The recommended approach involves configuring the web server to return a 405 Method Not Allowed response for TRACE requests or completely disabling the TRACE method in the HTTP configuration. Additionally, implementing network-level controls through firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection against TRACE method exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious TRACE method usage patterns, as well as ensuring that all HP UCMDB Probe systems are updated to versions that have resolved this vulnerability. The mitigation efforts should align with industry best practices for web server security and follow guidelines from organizations such as the Center for Internet Security and NIST for secure configuration management.