CVE-2016-5797 in LightHouse SMS
Summary
by MITRE
Tollgrade LightHouse SMS before 5.1 patch 3 provides different error messages for failed authentication attempts depending on whether the username exists, which allows remote attackers to enumerate account names via a series of attempts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5797 affects Tollgrade LightHouse SMS versions prior to 5.1 patch 3, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication mechanism that enables unauthorized account enumeration. This issue stems from the application's inconsistent error handling behavior during authentication attempts, where the system provides different response messages based on whether the attempted username exists in the system. Such discriminatory error messaging creates a predictable pattern that attackers can exploit to determine valid account names through systematic trial and error approaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's authentication subsystem where it fails to maintain consistent error responses regardless of the authentication outcome. When an attacker submits an authentication request with a non-existent username, the system returns one type of error message indicating that the username does not exist. However, when attempting to authenticate with a valid username but incorrect password, the system provides a different error message suggesting that the password is incorrect. This inconsistency in error messaging directly violates security best practices and creates a reconnaissance opportunity for threat actors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the system. The ability to enumerate valid account names through automated means reduces the complexity of subsequent attacks such as password spraying or brute force attempts. Security practitioners can observe that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The flaw essentially provides attackers with a roadmap to identify legitimate user accounts, making subsequent authentication attacks more efficient and successful.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account enumeration, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attack vectors including credential stuffing and targeted password attacks. The inconsistent error responses create a predictable pattern that automated tools can exploit, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and data compromise. Organizations using affected versions of Tollgrade LightHouse SMS face heightened risk of unauthorized access, particularly in environments where user enumeration could lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining consistent error handling in security-sensitive applications, as even seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks.
Effective mitigation strategies include implementing consistent error messaging for all authentication attempts regardless of whether the username exists, applying the available patch version 5.1 patch 3, and implementing account lockout mechanisms to prevent excessive authentication attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns to detect potential enumeration attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing all authentication-related error messages across the application to ensure they provide uniform responses to maintain security through obscurity principles. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough security testing to identify and address information leakage vulnerabilities in authentication systems.