CVE-2015-3201 in Thermostat
Summary
by MITRE
Thermostat before 2.0.0 uses world-readable permissions for the web.xml configuration file, which allows local users to obtain user credentials by reading the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3201 affects thermostat software versions prior to 2.0.0, presenting a critical security flaw in file permission management. This issue stems from improper access control configuration where the web.xml configuration file is set with world-readable permissions, creating an exploitable condition that compromises user authentication data. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where sensitive configuration files are accessible to all users on the system without proper authorization mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests through improper file system permissions where the web.xml file, which typically contains sensitive authentication information including user credentials and session management settings, is configured with permissions that allow read access to all users. This configuration violates standard security practices and creates an attack surface where local adversaries can directly access authentication credentials without requiring any specialized tools or exploitation techniques. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's security model by exposing authentication mechanisms to unauthorized local access, effectively undermining the system's ability to maintain secure user sessions and protect confidential information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables local attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the thermostat system. Attackers can leverage the exposed credentials to impersonate legitimate users, access restricted system functions, and potentially compromise the entire device's security posture. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-732, which describes inadequate permissions for critical security resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, focusing on credential access through exploitation of weak permissions. The threat vector represents a local privilege escalation risk that could lead to complete system compromise if the thermostat serves as a network gateway or contains additional sensitive configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3201 should prioritize immediate remediation through proper file permission configuration, ensuring that web.xml and similar sensitive configuration files are restricted to appropriate user groups with read access only. System administrators should implement mandatory access controls and regularly audit file permissions to prevent similar issues. The recommended solution involves setting restrictive permissions such as 600 or 640 for configuration files, ensuring that only the application process and authorized administrators can access these critical resources. Additionally, implementing automated monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access attempts and regular security assessments will help maintain the integrity of the system's authentication mechanisms and prevent exploitation of similar permission-based vulnerabilities in the future.