CVE-2018-11079 in Secure Remote Services
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC Secure Remote Services, versions prior to 3.32.00.08, contains a Plaintext Password Storage vulnerability. Database credentials are stored in plaintext in a configuration file. An authenticated malicious user with access to the configuration file may obtain the exposed password to gain access to the application database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11079 affects Dell EMC Secure Remote Services software versions prior to 3.32.00.08, representing a critical weakness in credential storage practices that directly impacts the security posture of enterprise environments relying on this remote access solution. This vulnerability falls under the category of plaintext password storage, a fundamental security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication information to unauthorized access. The configuration file containing database credentials is stored in an unencrypted format, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can directly extract authentication details without requiring complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to the system to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has already gained legitimate access to the Secure Remote Services environment can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to underlying database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper credential handling within the application's configuration management framework. When Dell EMC Secure Remote Services initializes its database connections, it stores authentication credentials in plain text format rather than implementing proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This approach violates established security principles and creates a persistent risk vector that remains active as long as the configuration file exists. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. From an operational perspective, this flaw enables attackers to perform lateral movement within the network infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The configuration file containing these credentials likely resides in a predictable location within the application's directory structure, making it easily discoverable through reconnaissance activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with direct access to database systems that may contain sensitive enterprise data, user credentials, system configurations, and other valuable information. The ability to access database resources through stolen credentials enables sophisticated attack patterns including data manipulation, unauthorized system changes, and persistent access to the enterprise environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on Dell EMC Secure Remote Services for remote management and monitoring of their infrastructure, as it creates a backdoor that can be exploited by malicious insiders or external attackers who have already gained initial access through other means. The attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and persistence domains, where adversaries leverage compromised accounts to maintain long-term access to target systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including immediate patching to version 3.32.00.08 or later, which addresses the plaintext storage issue through proper encryption of database credentials. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file system permissions on configuration files, monitoring access logs for unauthorized file system activity, and conducting comprehensive security audits to identify any potential compromise. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening overall credential management practices, implementing multi-factor authentication for database access, and establishing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of credential exposure. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unusual access patterns to configuration files and database resources, as well as conducting regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications that may be storing sensitive information in unencrypted formats.