CVE-2014-9248 in Zenoss
Summary
by MITRE
Zenoss Core through 5 Beta 3 does not require complex passwords, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack, aka ZEN-15406.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9248 affects Zenoss Core versions through 5 Beta 3 and represents a critical weakness in the platform's authentication security mechanisms. This issue stems from the absence of mandatory complex password requirements within the system's configuration, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit through automated brute-force methodologies. The vulnerability has been catalogued under the ZEN-15406 identifier, indicating its recognition within the Zenoss security framework and highlighting the potential for unauthorized access to critical monitoring and management infrastructure.
The technical flaw lies in the password policy implementation where Zenoss Core fails to enforce minimum complexity requirements for user accounts. This omission allows attackers to attempt dictionary attacks, rainbow table exploitation, or simple brute-force techniques against user credentials without encountering the typical barriers that complex password policies would provide. The system's authentication mechanism operates without enforcing minimum length requirements, character variety constraints, or prohibitions against common password patterns, making credential compromise significantly more feasible than it should be according to established security best practices. This weakness directly violates fundamental principles of access control and authentication security that are essential for protecting enterprise monitoring platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access attempts, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire Zenoss monitoring environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain administrative privileges to monitor systems, manipulate alerts, modify configurations, and potentially escalate their access to underlying infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe given that Zenoss Core is commonly used for critical infrastructure monitoring, making successful exploitation a potential gateway for broader security breaches within enterprise environments. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the password policy is properly enforced, as attackers can repeatedly attempt to compromise accounts without facing the typical resistance that complex password requirements would provide.
Organizations should immediately implement mandatory password complexity policies that align with industry standards such as those specified in the NIST Special Publication 800-63B, which recommends minimum password lengths of 8 characters with inclusion of multiple character types. The mitigation strategy should include enforcing minimum password length requirements, requiring mixed character sets including uppercase, lowercase, numeric, and special characters, and implementing account lockout mechanisms after failed authentication attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication solutions as a defense-in-depth measure, which would significantly reduce the risk even if password policies are not immediately enforced. The implementation of these controls aligns with the ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics and provides a comprehensive approach to addressing the vulnerability through both policy enforcement and technical controls. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to ensure that password policies are properly configured and that all user accounts comply with the established security requirements, as outlined in the CWE-521 category for weak password requirements.