CVE-2017-1204 in Tealeaf Customer Experience
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tealeaf Customer Experience 8.7, 8.8, and 9.0.2 contains hard-coded credentials. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain access to the system. IBM X-Force ID: 123740.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1204 affects IBM Tealeaf Customer Experience versions 8.7, 8.8, and 9.0.2, representing a critical security flaw that exposes systems to unauthorized access. This issue stems from the inclusion of hard-coded credentials within the software implementation, creating a persistent security weakness that remains active throughout the system's operational lifecycle. The presence of such credentials within the application code or configuration files fundamentally undermines the security posture by providing static authentication mechanisms that cannot be easily modified or rotated.
The technical flaw manifests as hardcoded authentication tokens, usernames, or passwords embedded directly within the application binaries or configuration files, making them discoverable through reverse engineering or direct file examination. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software implementations, and represents a direct violation of security best practices for credential management. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the system without requiring additional authentication factors or complex exploitation techniques, as the credentials are readily available within the application's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with persistent entry points that remain valid until the affected software is updated or replaced. This creates a significant risk for organizations utilizing IBM Tealeaf Customer Experience, particularly those handling sensitive customer data or operating in regulated environments where compliance requirements demand robust authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the system, enabling them to conduct attacks from external locations. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials as a means of gaining access to systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and possible lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The hard-coded credentials could provide attackers with administrative privileges or access to sensitive customer experience data, user sessions, and system configurations that are typically protected by proper authentication controls. The long-term nature of this vulnerability means that once discovered, it can remain exploitable for extended periods, particularly in environments where patch management processes are delayed or where legacy systems are maintained without regular updates.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected IBM Tealeaf Customer Experience installations to the latest available versions that address the hardcoded credentials issue. Organizations should also implement comprehensive credential management practices, including regular credential rotation, implementation of dynamic authentication mechanisms, and removal of any hardcoded credentials from application code. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar hard-coded credential issues within other applications and systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and avoiding static credential storage in application implementations, as outlined in various security frameworks and compliance standards such as those defined by NIST and ISO 27001.