CVE-2017-3962 in Network Security Management
Summary
by MITRE
Password recovery exploitation vulnerability in the non-certificate-based authentication mechanism in McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) before 8.2.7.42.2 allows attackers to crack user passwords via unsalted hashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3962 represents a critical weakness in McAfee Network Security Management's authentication system that specifically affects versions prior to 8.2.7.42.2. This flaw resides within the non-certificate-based authentication mechanism, which is designed to provide user access control for network security management functions. The vulnerability creates a pathway for unauthorized individuals to bypass normal authentication procedures and gain access to user credentials through the exploitation of password recovery functionality. The issue stems from the implementation of password recovery mechanisms that fail to properly secure the hash values used during the authentication process, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this network security solution.
The technical flaw manifests in the handling of password hashes during the recovery process where the system employs unsalted hash values rather than implementing proper cryptographic salting techniques. This design decision fundamentally weakens the security posture because unsalted hashes are highly susceptible to rainbow table attacks and other pre-computed hash cracking methodologies. When attackers obtain these unsalted hash values through the password recovery mechanism, they can efficiently reverse-engineer the original passwords using readily available cracking tools and databases of precomputed hash values. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-759, which describes the use of a one-way hash without a salt, and CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues related to weak key derivation functions. The lack of proper salting means that identical passwords will produce identical hash values, making the cracking process significantly more efficient and successful.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially compromise entire network security infrastructures. Organizations using affected versions of McAfee NSM face substantial risk of unauthorized access to their network security management systems, which could enable attackers to modify security policies, disable protective measures, or gain access to sensitive network information. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanism that protects access to critical network security management functions, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that could remain undetected for extended periods, as the compromised credentials could be used to maintain access to the system. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003, which covers credential stuffing and password reuse attacks, as compromised credentials could be leveraged across multiple systems within an organization.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to McAfee NSM version 8.2.7.42.2 or later, which addresses this vulnerability through proper implementation of salted hash functions in the password recovery mechanism. Security administrators should also review and strengthen password policies to ensure users employ strong, unique passwords that are less susceptible to cracking attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing multi-factor authentication where possible, monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems. The remediation process should also involve reissuing credentials to users whose passwords may have been compromised and implementing proper cryptographic practices throughout the organization's authentication infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of credential compromise and establish proper incident response procedures for handling authentication-related security incidents.