CVE-2017-14770 in Manager Client Application
Summary
by MITRE
Skybox Manager Client Application prior to 8.5.501 is prone to an information disclosure vulnerability of user password hashes. A local authenticated attacker can access the password hashes in a debugger-pause state during the authentication process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14770 affects the Skybox Manager Client Application version 8.5.501 and earlier, presenting a critical information disclosure flaw that compromises user credential security. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication process where password hashes are temporarily stored in memory, creating a window of opportunity for exploitation. The flaw exists in the application's handling of authentication state management, where sensitive cryptographic data remains accessible even when the application is in a debugger-pause condition, which is a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should ensure sensitive data is immediately cleared from memory upon completion of its use.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the authentication sequence, where password hash values are not adequately secured or cleared from volatile memory when the application enters a debugging pause state. This creates a scenario where an authenticated local attacker can leverage debugging tools to inspect memory contents and extract these password hashes. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and specifically aligns with CWE-312, which deals with exposure of sensitive information through partial exposure, as the attacker gains access to portions of cryptographic data rather than complete credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows an attacker to obtain password hashes without requiring additional privileges beyond local authentication access, making it a significant risk for environments where local system access is possible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as password hashes can be subsequently cracked using various techniques including rainbow table attacks or brute force methods. This exposure enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts within the Skybox Manager environment, potentially leading to broader system compromise depending on the privileges associated with these accounts. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and represents a direct violation of secure authentication protocols as outlined in NIST SP 800-63B, which emphasizes the importance of protecting authentication data throughout the authentication lifecycle. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain, potentially using the extracted password hashes to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to version 8.5.501 or later, which addresses the memory handling issues in the authentication process. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized debugging activities and establish strict access controls to prevent local system access to authenticated users who do not require such privileges. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper memory sanitization techniques, ensuring that sensitive data is immediately cleared from memory upon authentication completion, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized debugging tools from being executed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers credentials from password storage, as the attack vector specifically targets credential storage mechanisms within the application. System administrators should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication to provide additional protection layers, as even if password hashes are compromised, the additional authentication factor would prevent unauthorized access to user accounts.