CVE-2017-16946 in MISP
Summary
by MITRE
The admin_edit function in app/Controller/UsersController.php in MISP 2.4.82 mishandles the enable_password field, which allows admins to discover a hashed password by reading the audit log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16946 resides within the MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) version 2.4.82 administrative interface, specifically within the admin_edit function located in the UsersController.php file. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that directly impacts the platform's ability to maintain proper authentication security controls. The issue manifests when administrators attempt to modify user accounts through the administrative interface, creating a scenario where sensitive password hash information becomes inadvertently exposed through the system's audit logging mechanism.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of the enable_password field during administrative user modifications. When administrators access the user editing functionality, the system fails to properly sanitize or mask the password hash value before writing it to the audit log. This misconfiguration creates a situation where any user with appropriate privileges to view audit logs can directly observe the hashed password values of affected accounts. The vulnerability essentially transforms the audit logging mechanism from a security monitoring tool into an information disclosure vector, undermining the fundamental security principle that password hashes should remain confidential and protected from unauthorized access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on MISP for threat intelligence sharing and incident response activities. The exposure of password hashes compromises the integrity of the authentication system and provides potential attackers with valuable information for conducting credential stuffing attacks or targeted password cracking attempts. The audit log typically contains detailed information about system modifications, making it a valuable target for adversaries seeking to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to administrative accounts. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if the exposed hashes are successfully cracked or if attackers can leverage them in conjunction with other attack vectors.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper logging and auditing practices. It also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials gained through compromise of administrative access, as this vulnerability facilitates unauthorized access to administrative accounts through information disclosure. Organizations using MISP should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest stable version, implementing strict access controls on audit log files, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to administrative functions. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in administrative interfaces, particularly when dealing with sensitive authentication data. Security teams should conduct thorough reviews of all administrative functions to ensure similar information disclosure vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the system architecture.