CVE-2016-2349 in Remedy
Summary
by MITRE
Remedy AR System Server in BMC Remedy 8.1 SP 2, 9.0, 9.0 SP 1, and 9.1 allows attackers to reset arbitrary passwords via a blank previous password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2349 affects BMC Remedy AR System Server versions 8.1 SP 2, 9.0, 9.0 SP 1, and 9.1, representing a critical weakness in the authentication and access control mechanisms of this enterprise service management platform. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper authentication, specifically enabling unauthorized password reset operations through a flaw in the password validation process. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly validate the previous password field during password reset operations, allowing attackers to bypass the standard authentication requirements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a password reset request with a blank or null value for the previous password field. This design flaw permits unauthorized individuals to reset passwords for any user account within the system without providing the legitimate previous password. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor path for password manipulation that circumvents the normal security controls designed to ensure only authorized users can modify account credentials. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the server's input validation and authentication protocols.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2349 is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected BMC Remedy systems, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to reset passwords for administrative accounts, thereby gaining full control over the Remedy AR System and potentially accessing sensitive business data, configuration settings, and other system resources. The vulnerability also poses risks to business continuity and regulatory compliance, as it could enable data breaches and unauthorized system modifications that may go undetected for extended periods. Organizations using this platform face potential financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences from unauthorized access to their service management infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by BMC Software to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the Remedy AR System to untrusted networks and users. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and enhanced monitoring of password reset activities can help detect and prevent unauthorized exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication, and represents a significant concern for organizations following ATT&CK framework methodologies, particularly in the credential access and privilege escalation phases. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other enterprise systems and ensure comprehensive protection against credential-based attacks.