CVE-2017-3743 in ToolsCenter Advanced Settings Utility
Summary
by MITRE
If multiple users are concurrently logged into a single system where one user is sending a command via the Lenovo ToolsCenter Advanced Settings Utility (ASU), UpdateXpress System Pack Installer (UXSPI) or Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) to a second machine, the other users may be able to see the user ID and clear text password that were used to access the second machine during the time the command is processing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2019
This vulnerability exists within Lenovo's proprietary system management utilities including ToolsCenter Advanced Settings Utility ASU UpdateXpress System Pack Installer UXSPI and Dynamic System Analysis DSA components. The flaw manifests when multiple user sessions are active on a single system and one user initiates a remote command execution operation to a second machine through these utilities. The vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure issue that violates fundamental security principles of user isolation and credential protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate credential handling and process isolation mechanisms within Lenovo's system management tools. When a user executes a remote command through ASU UXSPI or DSA to another machine, the system fails to properly sanitize or isolate the authentication credentials during the command processing phase. The clear text password and user identifier remain accessible to other concurrent user sessions on the same system, creating an information exposure window that persists throughout the command execution lifecycle. This design flaw directly relates to CWE-200 Information Exposure and CWE-312 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass potential privilege escalation and lateral movement capabilities within network environments. An attacker with access to a compromised system could potentially harvest credentials from other active user sessions and use them to gain unauthorized access to additional systems within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where multiple administrators might be working on the same management workstation or where shared administrative systems are used. The risk is amplified in environments where these Lenovo utilities are deployed for remote system management and configuration tasks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper credential isolation mechanisms and restricting concurrent access to management utilities. Organizations should consider deploying network segmentation controls to limit access to systems running Lenovo management utilities and implementing strict access control policies for administrative accounts. The use of encrypted communication channels and credential managers should be enforced to prevent cleartext credential exposure. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that system management tools are properly configured to prevent credential leakage. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1550 Use of stolen credentials and demonstrates the importance of proper credential handling in system management contexts. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of Lenovo management utilities that address this specific credential exposure issue.