CVE-2017-7434 in Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
In the JDBC driver of NetIQ Identity Manager before 4.6 sending out incorrect XML configurations could result in passwords being logged into exception logfiles.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7434 resides within the JDBC driver component of NetIQ Identity Manager versions prior to 4.6, representing a significant security flaw that could potentially expose sensitive authentication credentials through improper error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes incorrect XML configurations, creating a scenario where password information becomes inadvertently written to exception logfiles during error conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the JDBC driver's configuration processing routines. When malformed XML configurations are submitted to the system, the driver fails to properly sanitize or filter sensitive data elements including passwords before logging error messages. This design flaw creates a direct pathway for credential exposure through log file contents, as the system's exception handling routine captures and records the problematic XML data without sufficient data masking or filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the system's ability to securely process external configuration inputs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where configuration management is handled through automated processes or external interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates persistent security artifacts that can be discovered by unauthorized parties through routine log file analysis or incident response activities. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting specifically designed XML configurations that trigger the error condition, thereby gaining access to password information that was previously protected through proper security controls. This vulnerability particularly affects identity management systems where password handling and authentication processes are central to system operations, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to user accounts within the managed environment. The exposure occurs during error conditions rather than normal operation, which can make detection more challenging as the malicious activity appears to be legitimate error handling behavior.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to NetIQ Identity Manager version 4.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XML configuration processing and error logging behaviors. Additionally, system administrators should review and implement proper log file sanitization procedures to ensure that sensitive information is not inadvertently written to system logs, including the implementation of log filtering mechanisms that can identify and remove password data from error messages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-532 Information Exposure Through Log Files, representing a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through comprehensive security testing and code review processes. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous log file patterns or unauthorized access attempts to log files that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, following ATT&CK technique T1562.006 Credential Exposure through proper access controls and log file integrity monitoring.