CVE-2017-8919 in OnCommand API Services
Summary
by MITRE
NetApp OnCommand API Services before 1.2P3 logs the LDAP BIND password when a user attempts to log in using the REST API, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive password information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8919 affects NetApp OnCommand API Services versions prior to 1.2P3, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication logging mechanism. This issue manifests when users attempt to log in through the REST API interface, where the system inadvertently records the LDAP BIND password in plain text within log files. The flaw constitutes a significant breach of security principles as it directly exposes sensitive authentication credentials to unauthorized parties who may have access to the system's logging infrastructure. The vulnerability falls under CWE-532, which specifically addresses information exposure through log files, making it a direct descendant of the well-known weakness in improper logging practices. The security implications extend beyond simple credential exposure as this flaw enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying storage infrastructure managed by NetApp OnCommand.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and logging practices within the API service's authentication flow. When an authenticated user attempts to establish a connection through the REST API, the system processes the LDAP BIND operation but fails to properly mask or sanitize the password component before writing it to log entries. This occurs regardless of whether the authentication succeeds or fails, meaning that even failed login attempts result in credential exposure. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various access paths including network-based attacks, local file system access, or through compromised accounts with sufficient privileges to read system logs. The flaw demonstrates poor security engineering practices where sensitive data handling does not follow the principle of least privilege and fails to implement proper data sanitization before logging operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8919 extends far beyond the immediate exposure of a single password, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise multiple systems within the networked storage environment. Once an attacker obtains the LDAP BIND password through log file access, they can potentially authenticate to other systems that rely on the same directory service, creating a chain reaction of unauthorized access. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as attackers can leverage the exposed credentials to maintain persistence within the environment. The exposure of authentication credentials through log files also violates fundamental security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, particularly in areas concerning access control and audit logging. Organizations using affected NetApp OnCommand API Services versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and complete compromise of their storage infrastructure security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8919 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version 1.2P3 or later, which addresses the root cause by ensuring that sensitive authentication information is properly sanitized before logging. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive log file reviews to identify and remove any previously exposed credentials, implementing log rotation and access controls to prevent future exposure. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be strengthened to limit access to log files and authentication systems. Organizations must also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous log file access patterns and credential usage, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat detection. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and privilege separation mechanisms can provide defense-in-depth against credential compromise scenarios, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar logging vulnerabilities across the entire infrastructure.