CVE-2018-1214 in SupportAssist Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC SupportAssist Enterprise version 1.1 creates a local Windows user account named "OMEAdapterUser" with a default password as part of the installation process. This unnecessary user account also remains even after an upgrade from v1.1 to v1.2. Access to the management console can be achieved by someone with knowledge of the default password. If SupportAssist Enterprise is installed on a server running OpenManage Essentials (OME), the OmeAdapterUser user account is added as a member of the OmeAdministrators group for the OME. An unauthorized person with knowledge of the default password and access to the OME web console could potentially use this account to gain access to the affected installation of OME with OmeAdministrators privileges. This is fixed in version 1.2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-1214 represents a critical security flaw in Dell EMC SupportAssist Enterprise version 1.1 that demonstrates poor privilege management and account lifecycle handling within enterprise software installations. This issue falls under the category of CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and also relates to CWE-259, concerning the use of hard-coded passwords. The vulnerability stems from the installation process that automatically creates a local Windows user account named "OMEAdapterUser" with a default password, creating an unnecessary administrative entry point that persists beyond the initial installation phase.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the automatic creation of a local Windows account during the SupportAssist Enterprise installation process, which is a significant deviation from secure default practices. This account is not only created with a known default password but also maintains its existence through subsequent upgrades, demonstrating a failure in proper account cleanup and lifecycle management. The account is specifically designed to function within the OpenManage Essentials ecosystem, where it is added to the OmeAdministrators group, effectively granting it elevated privileges within the management console. This design flaw creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by attackers who discover the default credentials, as the account remains active even after system upgrades.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides a pathway for privilege escalation within enterprise environments. When SupportAssist Enterprise is installed alongside OpenManage Essentials, the compromised account gains membership in the OmeAdministrators group, which grants full administrative access to the OpenManage Essentials management console. This represents a serious risk to enterprise security infrastructure, as it allows unauthorized access to critical system management functions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078, which covers valid accounts for persistence and privilege escalation, and also maps to T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system weaknesses.
The persistence of this account through version upgrades indicates a fundamental flaw in the software's upgrade and maintenance processes, as proper security hygiene would require the removal of unnecessary accounts during system updates. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper privilege management in enterprise software, where the presence of default accounts with known passwords creates inherent security risks. The fact that this issue was resolved in version 1.2.1 underscores the need for continuous security assessment and patch management processes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including account removal, credential rotation, and enhanced monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, while also ensuring that all software installations undergo thorough security reviews before deployment in production environments.