CVE-2017-15366 in NDoc
Summary
by MITRE
Before Thornberry NDoc version 8.0, laptop clients and the server have default database (Cache) users set up with a single password. This password is left behind in a cleartext log file during client installation on laptops. This password can be used to gain full admin/system access to client devices (if no firewall is present) or the NDoc server itself. Once the password is known to an attacker, local access is not required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15366 represents a critical security flaw in Thornberry NDoc version 8.0 and earlier, where default database users are configured with identical passwords that are inadvertently exposed in cleartext log files during client installation processes. This issue fundamentally undermines the security posture of both laptop clients and server infrastructure, creating a persistent attack vector that persists even after initial deployment. The flaw manifests through improper credential management practices where security-sensitive information is not adequately protected during installation procedures, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure configuration.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and CWE-259, covering weak password storage mechanisms. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the installation process generates log files containing the default database password in plain text format, creating an easily accessible attack surface for malicious actors. The password exposure happens during the client-side installation phase, where the system fails to sanitize sensitive information from log outputs, effectively providing attackers with a direct path to administrative privileges. This weakness operates at the intersection of poor logging practices and insecure credential handling, creating a persistent backdoor that remains viable throughout the system lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to achieve full system compromise without requiring physical access or local network presence. Once the password is obtained from the cleartext log file, adversaries can directly access both client devices and the NDoc server, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it eliminates the need for local access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is minimal or absent. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with default passwords, and T1046, covering network service scanning that can be leveraged to identify vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately implement log file sanitization procedures to prevent credential exposure during installation processes, while also updating to versions of Thornberry NDoc that properly handle default credentials. Security configurations should enforce unique password generation for each installation, eliminating the use of default credentials entirely. Network segmentation and firewall implementation becomes critical to limit lateral movement even if credentials are compromised, while regular security audits should verify that no cleartext credentials remain in system logs or configuration files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure development practices and proper credential lifecycle management, emphasizing that default configurations must never be considered secure without explicit security hardening measures.