CVE-2017-6528 in dnaLIMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in dnaTools dnaLIMS 4-2015s13. dnaLIMS is affected by plaintext password storage (the /home/dna/spool/.pfile file).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6528 represents a critical security flaw in dnaTools dnaLIMS version 4-2015s13, where the application stores passwords in plaintext format within the /home/dna/spool/.pfile file. This configuration violates fundamental security principles and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors who gain access to the system. The issue stems from poor cryptographic practices where sensitive authentication credentials are not properly encrypted or hashed, leaving them directly accessible to anyone with file system access. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-259 as "Use of Hard-coded Password" and also relates to CWE-312 as "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information," demonstrating how improper credential handling can lead to severe security consequences.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the application's configuration where authentication credentials are written to a specific file location without any form of encryption or obfuscation. When system administrators or users interact with the dnaLIMS application, their passwords are stored in plain text format, making them immediately readable to any entity with access to the file system. This creates a scenario where local privilege escalation attacks become significantly easier, as attackers can simply read the .pfile to obtain valid credentials for multiple accounts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the application, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive genetic and biological data repositories that dnaLIMS typically manages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire dnaLIMS environment. Organizations using this version of dnaLIMS face potential data breaches that could expose proprietary genetic research, patient information, or other sensitive biological data. Attackers could leverage these plaintext credentials to gain persistent access to the system, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized research access, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability also creates challenges for compliance with industry standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001, as organizations cannot demonstrate proper protection of sensitive information when plaintext passwords are stored in accessible locations. This weakness directly contradicts the principle of least privilege and can enable lateral movement within networks where the dnaLIMS system operates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6528 require immediate implementation of proper credential storage mechanisms and comprehensive system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately encrypt the .pfile or relocate it to a secure, encrypted storage location while implementing proper password hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. The system should be configured to enforce strong password policies and implement account lockout mechanisms to prevent brute force attacks against the stored credentials. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the specific file locations containing sensitive information. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to identify similar issues in other applications and systems. The remediation process should also include updating to the latest version of dnaLIMS where this vulnerability has been addressed, as vendors typically provide patches and security updates to resolve such issues. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage the compromised credentials to establish persistent access to the system while potentially using social engineering techniques to gain initial access.