CVE-2014-9578 in Security SENSE
Summary
by MITRE
VDG Security SENSE (formerly DIVA) 2.3.13 performs authentication with a password hash instead of a password, which allows remote attackers to gain login access by leveraging knowledge of password hash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9578 affects VDG Security SENSE version 2.3.13, formerly known as DIVA, presenting a critical authentication flaw that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the system. This vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism implementation where the system incorrectly handles password verification by relying on password hashes rather than actual passwords during the authentication process. The flaw represents a significant deviation from standard security practices and creates an exploitable condition that directly compromises user account integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a design decision that processes password hashes as authentication credentials rather than utilizing proper password verification mechanisms. When users attempt to authenticate, the system accepts hash values directly instead of performing the necessary cryptographic operations to verify the actual password against the stored hash. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where an attacker who has obtained password hash values can bypass normal authentication procedures and gain unauthorized access to the system. The flaw operates at the authentication layer and represents a clear violation of secure authentication principles as defined in the OWASP Authentication Cheat Sheet and NIST SP 800-63 standards.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to severe security risks including unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within networks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain persistent access to the security system without needing to perform complex password cracking operations, as they can directly use the password hashes they have obtained through various means such as network sniffing, database breaches, or other reconnaissance activities. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as this system typically controls security functions and access controls for other network components, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish footholds within enterprise environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically focusing on authentication mechanisms that fail to properly verify user credentials. It also correlates with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 which covers password guessing and credential reuse attacks, as this vulnerability essentially enables attackers to bypass normal password verification processes. Organizations using this software face increased risk of privilege escalation and unauthorized administrative access, particularly in environments where the security system controls critical network access points and security policies. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can potentially compromise the software from external network positions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to versions that properly implement password authentication mechanisms, ensuring that password hashes are only used for verification purposes rather than as authentication credentials themselves. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to security systems, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns, and conduct thorough security assessments to identify any compromised accounts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation policies can help reduce the overall risk exposure, while monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and maintaining detailed audit logs for forensic analysis. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper authentication protocol implementation and demonstrates how seemingly minor design flaws can create significant security vulnerabilities in enterprise security systems.