CVE-2018-13822 in PPM
Summary
by MITRE
Unprotected storage of credentials in CA PPM 14.3 and below, 14.4, 15.1, 15.2 CP5 and below, and 15.3 CP2 and below, allows attackers to access sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13822 represents a critical weakness in the CA PPM (Project and Portfolio Management) software ecosystem affecting multiple versions including 14.3 and below, 14.4, 15.1, 15.2 CP5 and below, and 15.3 CP2 and below. This issue stems from improper handling of credential storage mechanisms within the application's architecture, creating an avenue for unauthorized access to sensitive authentication data. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to adequately protect stored credentials, allowing attackers to extract and utilize this information for malicious purposes. The flaw directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system by exposing authentication tokens and user credentials that should remain protected.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper storage of credentials. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the application stores authentication data in an unprotected format, often in configuration files, database tables, or memory structures without appropriate encryption or access controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by directly accessing the storage locations where credentials are maintained, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in data protection and access control implementation, creating a persistent risk for systems that rely on CA PPM for project management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as compromised authentication data can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the system infrastructure. Organizations using affected versions of CA PPM face significant risks including unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network environments. The vulnerability affects not just individual user accounts but potentially entire organizational access controls, as the exposed credentials may provide access to administrative functions and sensitive project data. This risk is particularly severe for organizations that store proprietary project information, financial data, and strategic business intelligence within the CA PPM environment.
Security mitigations for CVE-2018-13822 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by CA Technologies, while implementing additional protective measures such as enhanced file system permissions, encryption of credential storage, and regular security audits. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. The mitigation strategy must also include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential damage from credential compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques, as attackers can leverage stolen credentials for persistent access and further exploitation within the target environment.