CVE-2019-0180 in Open CIT
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient password protection in the attestation database for Open CIT may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0180 resides within the Open CIT attestation database system where insufficient password protection mechanisms exist, creating a significant security risk for authenticated users who gain local access to the system. This weakness specifically targets the authentication and authorization controls that should protect sensitive attestation data, potentially allowing malicious actors with legitimate credentials to exploit local system access and extract confidential information. The issue stems from inadequate implementation of password security measures within the attestation database framework, which is designed to store and manage cryptographic attestations for security verification processes.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to properly enforce password complexity requirements, rotation policies, or secure storage mechanisms for database credentials within the Open CIT platform. When an authenticated user possesses local access to the system, they can potentially leverage their legitimate credentials to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized information disclosure. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of weak authentication mechanisms that fall under CWE-255 - "Credentials Management Vulnerabilities" and specifically relates to improper handling of database authentication credentials. The flaw represents a critical gap in the security architecture where local access privileges are not adequately restricted despite existing authentication mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations relying on Open CIT for security attestation and verification processes. An authenticated user with local system access can potentially access sensitive cryptographic attestations, trust relationships, and security configuration data that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity of the entire attestation system, as attackers could manipulate or forge attestations that would be accepted by other systems relying on the Open CIT framework. This risk is particularly concerning in environments where attestation data forms the foundation of security decisions and trust relationships between systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-0180 should focus on implementing robust password policies and access controls within the attestation database environment. Organizations must ensure that database credentials follow strong password complexity requirements and regular rotation schedules, while also implementing proper access control mechanisms that limit local system access to only authorized personnel. The solution involves strengthening authentication controls through proper credential management practices and ensuring that local access privileges are strictly enforced. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 - "Valid Accounts" and T1566 - "Phishing", as it represents a potential pathway for privilege escalation through legitimate authentication mechanisms. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts would significantly reduce the risk exposure associated with this vulnerability.