CVE-2019-13348 in Knowage
Summary
by MITRE
In Knowage through 6.1.1, an authenticated user who accesses the datasources page will gain access to any data source credentials in cleartext, which includes databases.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13348 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Knowage business intelligence platform version 6.1.1 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the datasources page functionality and exposes sensitive credential information in cleartext format. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's authentication and authorization framework, creating a pathway for authenticated users to access database credentials that should remain protected. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, which directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate user permissions when accessing the datasources management interface. When an authenticated user navigates to the datasources page, the system does not adequately verify that the user possesses the necessary privileges to view sensitive credential information. This flaw allows for privilege escalation within the context of the authenticated session, enabling users to extract database connection strings, usernames, and passwords that are stored in cleartext within the application's configuration files or database tables. The cleartext exposure of credentials creates a significant risk for attackers who may gain access to legitimate user accounts through other means, as they can then leverage this vulnerability to obtain database-level access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credentials from password stores and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as it exploits legitimate user access to extract sensitive information.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-13348 extends beyond immediate credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations relying on Knowage for business intelligence operations. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain access to multiple database systems simultaneously, potentially leading to widespread data breaches across an organization's information infrastructure. The cleartext exposure of credentials eliminates the need for additional exploitation techniques such as password cracking or brute force attacks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. Organizations using Knowage may face regulatory compliance violations under data protection frameworks such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss due to the unauthorized exposure of sensitive database credentials. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks, as database credentials often provide access to additional systems and resources that may not be properly secured. This exposure can result in significant financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-13348 should focus on immediate patching of the Knowage platform to version 6.2.0 or later, which includes the necessary security fixes for credential handling. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the datasources management interface, ensuring that only authorized administrators can access sensitive credential information. The implementation of role-based access controls should be enforced to ensure that users cannot access data sources for which they do not have explicit authorization. Additional security measures include the deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter requests to sensitive endpoints, along with regular security audits to identify potential privilege escalation paths. Organizations should also consider implementing credential rotation procedures and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the datasources page. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization practices, as recommended by owasp top ten and iso 27001 security standards. Regular security training for administrators and developers on secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the application.