CVE-2016-9882 in Cloud Foundry
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Cloud Foundry Foundation cf-release versions prior to v250 and CAPI-release versions prior to v1.12.0. Cloud Foundry logs the credentials returned from service brokers in Cloud Controller system component logs. These logs are written to disk and often sent to a log aggregator via syslog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
This vulnerability exists within the Cloud Foundry platform's Cloud Controller system component where sensitive service broker credentials are inadvertently logged to disk and subsequently forwarded to log aggregators through syslog mechanisms. The issue affects cf-release versions prior to v250 and CAPI-release versions prior to v1.12.0, representing a critical security flaw in the platform's logging infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the system's logging processes, where service broker credentials are written in plaintext format to persistent storage without adequate sanitization or obfuscation measures.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper credential sanitization within the Cloud Controller's logging subsystem. When service brokers return authentication credentials during service provisioning or binding operations, these credentials are directly included in log messages without any filtering or redaction mechanisms. The logging process writes these messages to disk storage and simultaneously forwards them through syslog to centralized logging systems, creating multiple exposure points for sensitive information. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and fails to meet basic security requirements for credential handling as outlined in industry standards such as the CWE-532 principle of information exposure through log files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with direct access to service broker credentials that can be used to gain unauthorized access to backend services and resources. Attackers who compromise the logging infrastructure or gain access to log files can extract these credentials and potentially escalate their privileges within the Cloud Foundry environment. The exposure extends beyond the immediate platform boundaries since logs are often forwarded to centralized monitoring systems, making the credentials accessible to multiple systems and users. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1567.002 for credential stuffing, as compromised credentials can be used for lateral movement and further exploitation. The exposure of service broker credentials can lead to complete compromise of applications and services that rely on these broker connections.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive credential sanitization within the logging subsystem of the Cloud Controller component. Organizations should immediately upgrade to cf-release v250 or later and CAPI-release v1.12.0 or later to receive the patched logging behavior that prevents credential exposure. Additionally, system administrators should implement log filtering mechanisms that automatically redact or remove credential information from log messages before they are written to disk or forwarded via syslog. The implementation should follow security best practices including the use of credential obfuscation techniques, regular log review processes, and monitoring for unusual access patterns to log files. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and multi-factor authentication for service broker endpoints to reduce the impact of credential exposure. The fix should be validated through security testing to ensure that no other credential information is inadvertently logged, aligning with the security requirements defined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls for information security management.