CVE-2017-3764 in XClarity Administrator
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was identified in Lenovo XClarity Administrator (LXCA) before 1.4.0 where LXCA user account names may be exposed to unauthenticated users with access to the LXCA web user interface. No password information of the user accounts is exposed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-3764 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Lenovo XClarity Administrator version 1.4.0 and earlier. This issue affects the web-based user interface of the LXCA platform, which is designed for remote management of Lenovo infrastructure components including servers, storage devices, and networking equipment. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the system, creating an unintended exposure of user account information to unauthorized parties. The flaw allows unauthenticated users who can access the LXCA web interface to potentially enumerate valid user accounts, which could serve as a critical first step in subsequent attack vectors targeting the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control implementation within the LXCA web interface. When users attempt to access protected resources or perform authentication-related operations, the system inadvertently reveals user account names through error messages, response headers, or direct interface elements that should remain hidden from unauthenticated users. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a reconnaissance opportunity for attackers who may not have legitimate credentials or access rights to the system. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a classic case where system components fail to properly restrict access to sensitive information. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient output sanitization within the web application's authentication flow, allowing attackers to extract user account information without proper authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of the managed infrastructure. Attackers who discover valid user account names can leverage this information for targeted credential stuffing attacks, brute force attempts, or social engineering campaigns. While the vulnerability does not expose password information, the enumeration of user accounts creates a substantial risk for organizations that rely on strong authentication practices, as it removes one layer of security that would normally protect against automated attacks. The exposure of user account names also violates the principle of least privilege, as it provides attackers with knowledge of legitimate users within the system. Organizations using LXCA may find their security monitoring systems compromised, as the vulnerability can be exploited through automated scanning tools and web crawlers that systematically test for such information disclosure flaws. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001, which involves account discovery through the enumeration of local accounts, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and reconnaissance activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to Lenovo XClarity Administrator version 1.4.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent user account enumeration through the web interface. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of the LXCA web interface to only authorized personnel and trusted network segments. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious access patterns, configuring proper logging and monitoring for account enumeration attempts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. System administrators should also review and harden authentication configurations, ensuring that error messages and interface elements do not inadvertently reveal user account information. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review processes, particularly for authentication and authorization components, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include specific checks for information disclosure vulnerabilities, particularly in web applications that handle user authentication and access control functions.