CVE-2014-9576 in Security SENSE
Summary
by MITRE
VDG Security SENSE (formerly DIVA) 2.3.13 has a hardcoded password of (1) ArpaRomaWi for the root Postgres account and !DVService for the (2) postgres and (3) NTP Windows user accounts, which allows remote attackers to obtain access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9576 affects VDG Security SENSE version 2.3.13, formerly known as DIVA, presenting a critical security flaw through the use of hardcoded credentials across multiple system components. This weakness resides in the default configuration of the security solution, where specific passwords are embedded directly within the software rather than being dynamically generated or securely managed. The presence of hardcoded credentials represents a fundamental breach of security best practices and creates persistent attack vectors that remain exploitable regardless of system updates or user credential changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves three distinct hardcoded password scenarios within the system. The first involves a root PostgreSQL account with the password ArpaRomaWi, while the second and third scenarios target postgres and NTP Windows user accounts respectively with passwords !DVService. These hardcoded credentials are typically embedded within the application binaries or configuration files during the software development process, making them accessible to anyone who can inspect the system or obtain the installation media. This design flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded passwords and credentials in software, and represents a classic example of insecure credential storage as defined in CWE-312.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring sophisticated techniques or prior system compromise. Attackers can leverage these hardcoded credentials to gain immediate administrative access to database systems and network services, potentially enabling them to exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The remote accessibility of these credentials means that attackers do not require physical access or prior exploitation of other vulnerabilities to gain system control, making this a particularly dangerous weakness that can be exploited from anywhere on the network.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with the immediate replacement of all hardcoded passwords with randomly generated credentials that are properly managed through secure configuration processes. The system should be reconfigured to eliminate any hardcoded credentials and implement proper credential management protocols that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Special Publication 800-123 for password management and the OWASP Top Ten security controls. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while comprehensive monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credentials in other systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper credential lifecycle management in enterprise security solutions. This vulnerability also highlights the need for thorough security reviews of third-party software installations and the implementation of secure configuration baselines that prevent the use of default credentials in production environments.