CVE-2019-16061 in Enigma NMS
Summary
by MITRE
A number of files on the NETSAS Enigma NMS server 65.0.0 and prior are granted weak world-readable and world-writable permissions, allowing any low privileged user with access to the system to read sensitive data (e.g., .htpasswd) and create/modify/delete content (e.g., under /var/www/html/docs) within the operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16061 affects the NETSAS Enigma Network Management System version 65.0.0 and earlier releases, representing a critical misconfiguration issue that undermines the system's security posture. This flaw stems from improper file system permissions that grant excessive access rights to system resources, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure and modification. The vulnerability exists within the server's file system configuration where multiple files and directories have been assigned overly permissive access controls that violate fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through weak file permissions that allow any local user to access sensitive system files and directories. Specifically, the .htpasswd file which typically contains authentication credentials and user access controls becomes world-readable, enabling any user to extract authentication information that could be leveraged for further attacks. Additionally, directories under /var/www/html/docs are configured with world-writable permissions, allowing arbitrary modification or deletion of web content. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where privilege escalation opportunities exist through file system manipulation, as attackers can modify web content to inject malicious code or alter system documentation to obscure their activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass full system compromise potential. Attackers with low privileged access can exploit these permissions to escalate their privileges, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors through web content manipulation. The vulnerability directly violates security standards such as those outlined in CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation. The exposure of .htpasswd files specifically enables credential harvesting attacks that could lead to authentication bypass and further network infiltration. The presence of world-writable directories creates opportunities for attackers to plant malware or modify system files to maintain access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through proper file system permission adjustments to ensure that sensitive files are restricted to appropriate user groups only. System administrators must implement strict access control policies and regularly audit file permissions to prevent similar misconfigurations. The implementation of automated security scanning tools can help identify and remediate such permission issues before they can be exploited. Additionally, organizations should establish comprehensive security policies that enforce least privilege principles and conduct regular security awareness training for system administrators to prevent configuration errors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and serves as a reminder that even simple permission misconfigurations can have severe security implications, making regular security audits and compliance verification essential components of any cybersecurity program.