CVE-2015-6671 in edx-platform
Summary
by MITRE
Open edX edx-platform before 2015-08-25 requires use of the database for storage of SAML SSO secrets, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging access to a database backup.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-6671 affects the Open edX edx-platform version prior to the 2015-08-25 release, representing a significant security flaw in the platform's handling of SAML Single Sign-On secrets. This issue stems from the platform's design requirement to store SAML secrets within the database rather than implementing more secure alternative storage mechanisms. The vulnerability creates a dangerous dependency where database access can directly translate to unauthorized access to sensitive authentication credentials, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the learning management system.
The technical flaw manifests in the platform's architecture where SAML SSO secrets are persisted in the database, creating a single point of failure for authentication security. When attackers gain access to database backups or directly to the database itself, they can extract these stored secrets and potentially use them to impersonate users or gain unauthorized access to the platform's authentication systems. This design decision violates fundamental security principles of credential separation and privilege isolation, as the same database that stores user information also contains the cryptographic keys necessary for authentication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data in Database) and CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Password) categories, as it exposes authentication credentials in a manner that makes them accessible through database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for educational institutions relying on Open edX platforms, as database breaches or unauthorized access to backup files could immediately compromise the entire SAML authentication infrastructure. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to student and staff accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, academic fraud, or unauthorized modification of course content. The context-dependent nature of this attack means that any compromise of database access, whether through insider threats, misconfigured access controls, or stolen backup files, directly translates to authentication compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that maintain regular database backups or have database access controls that may be insufficiently restrictive.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched edx-platform version released on 2015-08-25, which likely addressed the database storage issue by implementing more secure credential handling. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust database access controls, encrypting database backups, and considering alternative storage mechanisms for SAML secrets such as hardware security modules or secure key management systems. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments of database configurations and access controls, ensuring that database administrators and backup access are properly vetted and monitored. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles related to credential access and privilege escalation, where database compromise directly leads to authentication bypass capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and alerting systems to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive credential storage areas, as the vulnerability essentially creates a clear attack path from database access to authentication compromise.