CVE-2018-9160 in SickRage
Summary
by MITRE
SickRage before v2018.03.09-1 includes cleartext credentials in HTTP responses.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9160 affects SickRage versions prior to v2018.03.09-1 and represents a critical security flaw involving the exposure of cleartext credentials within HTTP responses. This issue arises from the application's improper handling of authentication data during web service communications, creating a significant risk for unauthorized access and credential theft. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive authentication information, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit weak security controls in media management systems.
The technical flaw manifests when SickRage applications transmit authentication credentials in cleartext format within HTTP response bodies or headers, rather than implementing secure transmission mechanisms such as HTTPS encryption or proper token-based authentication. This cleartext exposure occurs during various operational scenarios including API calls, user authentication processes, and system configuration interactions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-312 category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information" and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that require sensitive data to be encrypted or properly obfuscated during transmission. Attackers can exploit this weakness through network sniffing, man-in-the-middle attacks, or by intercepting HTTP traffic to capture and utilize these exposed credentials for unauthorized access to the SickRage application and potentially underlying systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can enable attackers to gain full administrative control over SickRage installations and potentially compromise connected media servers or storage systems. The exposed credentials may allow unauthorized modification of media library configurations, addition of malicious content, or access to sensitive system information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" and T1566.001 "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when attackers leverage compromised credentials to maintain persistence within media management environments. Organizations using SickRage without proper encryption or authentication mechanisms face significant risk of unauthorized access to their media collections and system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9160 require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols including mandatory HTTPS encryption for all application interfaces, proper credential handling through secure token-based authentication, and regular security updates to ensure the latest patches are applied. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns and credential exposure attempts, while also enforcing strict access controls and regular credential rotation procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines, particularly concerning secure communication and authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and comprehensive security audits to prevent exploitation of similar credential exposure vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.