CVE-2017-9615 in Moneyworks
Summary
by MITRE
Password exposure in Cognito Software Moneyworks 8.0.3 and earlier allows attackers to gain administrator access to all data, because verbose logging writes the administrator password to a world-readable file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9615 represents a critical security flaw in Cognito Software Moneyworks version 8.0.3 and earlier releases. This weakness stems from improper logging practices that inadvertently expose administrative credentials during system operations. The flaw manifests when the application generates verbose log entries containing sensitive authentication information, specifically administrator passwords, which are subsequently written to files with inadequate access controls. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles regarding credential protection and access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the application's logging subsystem failing to sanitize or filter sensitive data before writing it to persistent storage. When verbose logging is enabled, the system captures and records administrator authentication details including passwords in plain text format within log files. These log files are created with world-readable permissions, meaning any user or process on the system can access the sensitive information without authentication. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log files, and aligns with CWE-798, which covers the use of hard-coded credentials in software. The flaw represents a classic case of insecure logging practices where sensitive information is not properly redacted or filtered before being stored in accessible locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Moneyworks versions. An attacker who gains access to the system can easily extract administrator passwords from the world-readable log files and subsequently assume full administrative privileges over the entire Moneyworks application. This level of access enables complete data compromise including financial records, user information, transaction histories, and system configurations. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that remains active until the log files are properly secured or the affected software is upgraded, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to sensitive financial data. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential system compromise, unauthorized transactions, and complete loss of system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9615 require immediate implementation of multiple layered security controls. Organizations should first disable verbose logging or ensure that sensitive information is filtered out of log entries before storage. System administrators must verify that log files are created with restrictive permissions, specifically ensuring that only authorized users and processes can access these files. The recommended approach involves implementing proper log sanitization procedures and establishing access control lists that prevent world-readable permissions on sensitive files. Additionally, organizations should upgrade to patched versions of Moneyworks software where available, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Security monitoring should include regular audits of log file permissions and content to detect any unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.002, which covers the use of log data for detection and prevention of credential exposure, and follows security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for secure logging and monitoring. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their overall security posture.