CVE-2018-11641 in PowerMedia XMS
Summary
by MITRE
Use of Hard-coded Credentials in /var/www/xms/application/controllers/gatherLogs.php in the administrative console in Dialogic PowerMedia XMS through 3.5 allows remote attackers to interact with a web service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11641 represents a critical security flaw in Dialogic PowerMedia XMS version 3.5 and earlier, where hard-coded credentials are embedded within the application code at /var/www/xms/application/controllers/gatherLogs.php. This configuration exposes administrative functionality to unauthorized remote access, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the system. The flaw resides in the administrative console component of the PowerMedia XMS platform, which is designed to manage and monitor communication services but becomes inherently vulnerable due to the presence of static authentication credentials within its source code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of hardcoded username and password values directly within the PHP controller file responsible for log gathering operations. This approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent backdoor that remains active regardless of system updates or administrative password changes. The hard-coded credentials are typically stored in plain text format within the source code, making them easily discoverable through source code analysis or by examining the web application's behavior. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized administrative access to the PowerMedia XMS system, potentially enabling them to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive communication data, or perform other malicious activities within the administrative console.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with persistent administrative privileges that can be exploited for extended periods without detection. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or knowledge of legitimate user credentials to exploit the vulnerability. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the system particularly susceptible to automated exploitation attempts. The presence of hardcoded credentials in a web service controller also suggests poor software development practices and inadequate security testing during the application lifecycle, potentially indicating additional vulnerabilities within the same codebase.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the Tactic of Credential Access, specifically targeting the technique of Hardcoded Credentials. Organizations utilizing Dialogic PowerMedia XMS should immediately implement mitigations including the removal of hardcoded credentials, implementation of proper authentication mechanisms, and comprehensive code review processes. The remediation process requires replacing static credentials with dynamic authentication methods, implementing proper credential management practices, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify similar hardcoded credentials throughout the application. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that the affected version is updated to a patched release and that proper network segmentation is implemented to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure software development lifecycle practices and regular security audits to prevent similar issues in future deployments.