CVE-2017-14955 in Check_MK
Summary
by MITRE
Check_MK before 1.2.8p26 mishandles certain errors within the failed-login save feature because of a race condition, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive user information by reading a GUI crash report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14955 affects Check_MK versions prior to 1.2.8p26 and represents a critical security flaw in the application's handling of failed login attempts. This issue stems from a race condition within the failed-login save feature, creating an exploitable scenario where unauthorized remote attackers can extract sensitive user information through manipulation of the graphical user interface crash reporting mechanism. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's error handling procedures during authentication failures, where the system fails to properly synchronize access to critical resources during concurrent login attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a timing-based race condition that occurs when multiple login attempts are processed simultaneously within the Check_MK monitoring system. When authentication fails, the system attempts to save failed login information to a crash report file while concurrently handling other user interactions. This lack of proper synchronization allows an attacker to interfere with the normal execution flow and potentially access sensitive information that should remain protected. The flaw falls under the category of improper error handling and resource management issues, specifically aligning with CWE-362 which addresses race conditions and CWE-200 which covers exposure of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to user credentials, authentication patterns, and system configuration details that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Attackers can systematically exploit this race condition to gather intelligence about valid usernames and potentially identify system weaknesses in the authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor error handling flaws can create significant security implications, particularly in monitoring and management systems where access control is paramount. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Check_MK is commonly deployed for network monitoring and system administration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14955 primarily involve upgrading to Check_MK version 1.2.8p26 or later, which includes proper synchronization mechanisms and improved error handling for failed login scenarios. Organizations should also implement additional network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the monitoring system to untrusted networks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated system to ensure that the race condition has been properly resolved and that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's error handling pathways. Security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logging of authentication events to detect potential abuse of this vulnerability. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper concurrency control in security-sensitive applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access through exploitation of system vulnerabilities.