CVE-2015-2998 in Help Desk
Summary
by MITRE
SysAid Help Desk before 15.2 uses a hardcoded encryption key, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, as demonstrated by decrypting the database password in WEB-INF/conf/serverConf.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-2998 represents a critical security flaw in SysAid Help Desk software versions prior to 15.2, where the application employs a hardcoded encryption key for protecting sensitive configuration data. This weakness falls under the category of hardcoded credentials and encryption keys, which are systematically addressed by CWE-798 and CWE-320. The vulnerability specifically affects the encryption mechanism used to protect database credentials stored within the WEB-INF/conf/serverConf.xml file, making it susceptible to unauthorized access and information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the application's use of a static, hard-coded encryption key that remains unchanged across different installations and deployments. This approach violates fundamental security principles of key management and cryptographic best practices, as outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 15408. When attackers can obtain the hardcoded key through various means such as code inspection, reverse engineering, or by exploiting other vulnerabilities, they gain the ability to decrypt sensitive information including database passwords, user credentials, and potentially other confidential data stored in the configuration files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to access the underlying database systems. According to MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS), as attackers can leverage the decrypted database credentials to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the information system, as unauthorized parties can access sensitive data and potentially modify database configurations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through upgrading to SysAid Help Desk version 15.2 or later, which addresses the hardcoded key issue. Organizations should also implement proper key management practices including dynamic key generation, secure key storage mechanisms, and regular key rotation procedures. The remediation process should involve thorough scanning of all affected systems, immediate patch deployment, and verification of the encryption implementation. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of other hardcoded credentials and encryption keys within the application and its dependencies, as similar vulnerabilities may exist in other components of the system. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls around database systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the potential impact of credential exposure.