CVE-2015-0519 in Captiva Capture
Summary
by MITRE
The InputAccel Database (IADB) installation process in EMC Captiva Capture 7.0 before patch 25 and 7.1 before patch 13 places a cleartext InputAccel (IA) SQL password in a DAL log file, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading a file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0519 represents a critical security flaw in the EMC Captiva Capture software ecosystem, specifically within the InputAccel Database installation process. This issue affects versions 7.0 prior to patch 25 and 7.1 prior to patch 13, creating a persistent exposure that undermines the confidentiality of sensitive authentication credentials. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of security-sensitive information during the installation lifecycle, where cleartext credentials are inadvertently persisted in log files that remain accessible to local system users. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles by storing authentication data in an unencrypted format, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries with local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the installation process of the InputAccel database component within EMC Captiva Capture. During this critical phase, the installation routine generates and writes the SQL password for the InputAccel database directly into a Data Access Layer (DAL) log file without any encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This cleartext password storage constitutes a severe weakness that aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials). The log file typically contains verbose installation information and configuration details, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks. Local users who can access the system filesystem can simply read the log file to extract the database password, which then provides them with direct access to the InputAccel database and potentially the underlying data it manages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors with local access to the system. Once an attacker obtains the cleartext SQL password, they can establish database connections and potentially execute unauthorized queries against the InputAccel database. This access could lead to data manipulation, information disclosure, or even privilege escalation within the application's operational environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that deploy EMC Captiva Capture in environments where local system access is not tightly controlled, creating a significant risk for organizations handling sensitive document capture and processing workflows. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage the exposed credentials to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within the application ecosystem.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including applying the appropriate security patches released by EMC for versions 7.0 patch 25 and 7.1 patch 13. System administrators should conduct thorough log file audits to identify and remove any existing cleartext credentials from installation logs, ensuring that no sensitive information remains accessible to local users. Additional mitigations include implementing strict file system access controls on installation log directories, configuring audit policies to monitor access to sensitive files, and establishing regular security scanning procedures to detect similar credential exposure issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure credential handling during software installation processes and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing that includes review of log file contents and installation artifacts. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts.