CVE-2018-7683 in Business Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Micro Focus Solutions Business Manager versions prior to 11.4 might reveal certain sensitive information in server log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7683 affects Micro Focus Solutions Business Manager versions before 11.4 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that could potentially compromise system security. This flaw manifests through improper logging practices where the application inadvertently writes sensitive information to server log files, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who might gain access to these log files. The issue falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can significantly impact organizational security postures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's logging mechanisms which fail to properly sanitize or filter sensitive data before writing it to log files. This could include authentication credentials, session tokens, personal identification information, or other confidential data that should never be persisted in plaintext within server logs. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices that violate fundamental security principles. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-209, which specifically addresses information exposure through logging, and CWE-312, covering sensitive data exposure in logs. The improper handling of sensitive information in log files creates a direct pathway for attackers to obtain confidential data that could then be used for privilege escalation, identity theft, or further system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks when combined with other security weaknesses. Attackers who can access server log files may discover authentication tokens, API keys, or other credentials that could provide unauthorized access to additional systems or services. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that maintain comprehensive logging for audit purposes, as these logs often contain the very sensitive information that should remain protected. The risk is amplified when log files are not properly secured or when they are stored in locations accessible to unauthorized users or processes. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1070.004 which covers "Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" as attackers may use compromised log files to obtain credentials and launch further attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive log file access controls, regular log file audits, and proper data sanitization protocols. The most effective approach involves configuring the application to exclude sensitive information from log outputs, implementing log file encryption, and ensuring that log files are stored in secure locations with restricted access permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar logging vulnerabilities across their entire infrastructure. The recommended solution includes upgrading to Micro Focus Business Manager version 11.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this information disclosure vulnerability. Organizations should also establish logging policies that comply with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-92 and ISO 27001, ensuring that sensitive data is properly handled and protected throughout the system lifecycle.