CVE-2018-8901 in Avalanche
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Ivanti Avalanche for all versions between 5.3 and 6.2. A local user with database access privileges can read the encrypted passwords for users who authenticate via LDAP to Avalanche services. These passwords are stored in the Avalanche databases. This issue only affects customers who have enabled LDAP authentication in their configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
This vulnerability exists in Ivanti Avalanche versions 5.3 through 6.2 where a local attacker with database access privileges can extract encrypted passwords from the Avalanche database. The flaw specifically targets systems that have enabled LDAP authentication, making it a credential exposure issue that directly impacts the security posture of organizations relying on this authentication method. The vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the application's privilege management and data protection mechanisms, as it allows unauthorized access to authentication credentials that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of encrypted password storage within the Avalanche database. When LDAP authentication is enabled, user credentials are stored in an encrypted format, but the database structure and access controls do not adequately protect these encrypted values from local users who possess database access privileges. This design flaw creates an attack surface where legitimate database users with appropriate permissions can bypass normal authentication boundaries to access sensitive credential information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized data access. From an operational perspective, this represents a critical privilege escalation vector where local database access translates directly into credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate their privileges within the Avalanche environment and gain unauthorized access to systems protected by LDAP authentication. Organizations that have configured LDAP authentication in their Avalanche deployments face immediate security risks, as the encrypted passwords could be decrypted or used to authenticate as legitimate users. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the authentication system, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate users, access restricted resources, and maintain persistent access to the Avalanche infrastructure. The threat landscape for this vulnerability includes both internal attackers with database access and external adversaries who may have gained access to database credentials through other means, as the vulnerability exists regardless of network boundary protection.
Organizations should immediately implement database access controls and privilege management to restrict local access to sensitive credential data within the Avalanche database. The recommended mitigations include implementing role-based access controls that limit database access to only necessary administrative personnel, regular auditing of database access logs, and consideration of credential encryption at rest. Additionally, organizations should evaluate their LDAP configuration to determine if the vulnerability affects their specific deployment and consider disabling LDAP authentication if not required. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper data protection mechanisms and access control enforcement within database systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing for Information. The remediation process should involve comprehensive security assessments of all database access points and implementation of least privilege principles to prevent similar issues in other systems.