CVE-2018-16498 in Director
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2021
In Versa Director, the unencrypted backup files stored on the Versa deployment contain credentials stored within configuration files. These credentials are for various application components such as SNMP, and SSL and Trust keystores.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16498 affects Versa Director deployments where unencrypted backup files are stored on the system. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials within configuration files. The issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data during the backup process, where credentials for multiple application components are stored in plaintext without adequate encryption or access controls. These backup files contain authentication information for various system components including SNMP configurations and SSL/TLS keystores that manage secure communications. The presence of such credentials in unencrypted backup files creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the network infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the lack of proper data protection mechanisms during backup operations within the Versa Director platform. According to CWE-312, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information," where sensitive data is stored in an easily readable format without encryption or obfuscation. The backup files serve as a repository for authentication credentials that would normally be protected through proper security controls, but instead become accessible to anyone with access to the backup storage location. This includes not only SNMP community strings and passwords but also SSL/TLS certificates and trust store information that are essential for maintaining secure communications within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple security components within the system, amplifying the potential impact of credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader network compromise and lateral movement capabilities. Attackers who gain access to these unencrypted backup files can leverage the stored credentials to authenticate to various network components and services, potentially enabling them to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure. The presence of SSL/TLS keystores in the backup files means that adversaries could potentially decrypt network traffic or impersonate legitimate network services. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage, and T1003 which addresses credential dumping. Organizations using Versa Director systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network components, with potential for data exfiltration, service disruption, and further exploitation of the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of encryption controls for backup files and comprehensive access control measures. Organizations should implement strong encryption protocols for all backup data, ensuring that credentials stored in configuration files are protected through proper cryptographic mechanisms. The implementation of role-based access controls and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit who can access backup files and system configurations. Regular security audits and monitoring of backup file access should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, system administrators should disable unnecessary backup file storage on the system where possible, and ensure that backup files are stored in secure, isolated environments with appropriate physical and logical security controls. Compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requires proper handling of sensitive information throughout its lifecycle, including backup and recovery processes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of encrypting all sensitive data at rest, regardless of its location within the system infrastructure.