CVE-2016-5801 in Web Application
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in OmniMetrix OmniView, Version 1.2. Insufficient password requirements for the OmniView web application may allow an attacker to gain access by brute forcing account passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5801 affects OmniMetrix OmniView version 1.2, representing a critical weakness in the web application's authentication mechanism. This issue stems from inadequate password policies that fail to enforce strong authentication requirements, creating an exploitable vector for unauthorized access. The vulnerability resides in the application's user account management system where password strength controls are either absent or insufficiently configured, allowing attackers to systematically guess or crack user credentials through automated brute force attacks.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper password complexity enforcement mechanisms within the OmniView web interface. This weakness directly relates to CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which describes insufficient constraints on password creation that make accounts susceptible to guessing or cracking attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform credential stuffing or dictionary attacks against user accounts, as the system does not implement minimum password length requirements, character variety restrictions, or account lockout mechanisms that would typically prevent such unauthorized access attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using OmniMetrix OmniView for network monitoring and management purposes. The ability to gain unauthorized access through brute force attacks compromises the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring data, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate surveillance systems, access sensitive network information, or establish persistent access points within the monitored environment. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration activities.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate implementation of robust password policies that align with industry standards such as NIST Special Publication 800-63B. Organizations must enforce minimum password length requirements of at least 12 characters, implement character set diversity requirements, and deploy account lockout mechanisms after failed authentication attempts. The mitigation strategy should also incorporate multi-factor authentication where possible and establish regular security audits to ensure compliance with password policy enforcement. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for brute force attack patterns can provide early warning of exploitation attempts and help prevent successful unauthorized access to the OmniView web application.