CVE-2018-1877 in Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 11 could store highly sensitive information in the form of unencrypted passwords that would be available to a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 151713.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2023
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere version 11 contains a critical security flaw that allows unencrypted sensitive data storage, specifically passwords, in a manner accessible to local users. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the platform's data protection mechanisms, where authentication credentials and other highly sensitive information are persisted in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted at rest. The flaw stems from inadequate cryptographic implementation within the automation platform's credential storage subsystem, creating an exploitable condition that violates fundamental security principles for protecting sensitive information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) categories, which specifically address the improper handling of authentication data and the storage of sensitive information without adequate protection measures. The vulnerability exists at the application level within the RPA platform's credential management functionality, where user authentication tokens, API keys, and other privileged credentials are stored in configuration files or databases without encryption. This design flaw allows any local user with access to the system to potentially read and extract these credentials, effectively bypassing the platform's intended authentication controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides local attackers with direct access to privileged accounts and system resources that would otherwise require proper authentication. An attacker with local system access could leverage this vulnerability to extract stored passwords and credentials, potentially escalating privileges or gaining unauthorized access to connected systems, databases, or applications that rely on the automation platform for operations. The risk is amplified because the vulnerability affects the core automation framework, meaning that compromised credentials could provide access to critical business processes and sensitive data flows within enterprise environments. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates a persistent backdoor for unauthorized access that remains active until the system is properly patched.
Organizations utilizing IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 11 should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including mandatory patching of the affected software version, implementation of proper credential encryption protocols, and enhanced monitoring of local system access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure credential management practices and proper encryption implementation in automated systems. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of credential storage mechanisms across all automation platforms and ensure that cryptographic controls are properly implemented according to industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for key management and encryption practices. Additionally, organizations should implement principle of least privilege access controls and regularly audit system configurations to prevent unauthorized local access that could exploit this vulnerability. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003 (Credentials from Password Stores) and addresses the fundamental security requirement for protecting sensitive information in accordance with security frameworks and compliance standards.