CVE-2019-16062 in Enigma NMS
Summary
by MITRE
NETSAS Enigma NMS 65.0.0 and prior does not encrypt sensitive data stored within the SQL database. It is possible for an attacker to expose unencrypted sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16062 affects NETSAS Enigma Network Management System version 65.0.0 and earlier releases, representing a critical data exposure issue within enterprise network management infrastructure. This vulnerability stems from inadequate data protection mechanisms implemented within the SQL database component of the system, where sensitive information is stored without proper encryption. The affected system fails to implement cryptographic safeguards for data at rest, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this network management solution. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality of sensitive data including but not limited to network credentials, configuration parameters, and operational information that could be exploited by malicious actors with access to the database.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure to implement proper data encryption controls for sensitive information stored within the SQL database. The system stores confidential data in plain text format without utilizing industry-standard encryption mechanisms such as AES-256 or other robust cryptographic algorithms. This flaw directly correlates to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data encryption or lack of encryption. The vulnerability represents a fundamental weakness in the application's data protection architecture where sensitive data elements are not adequately protected during storage operations, making them immediately accessible to any entity with database access privileges. The absence of encryption at rest creates an attack surface where an adversary can directly extract and read sensitive information without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations using NETSAS Enigma NMS. Attackers who gain unauthorized access to the SQL database can immediately retrieve sensitive credentials, network configurations, and operational data that could be used for further attacks within the network environment. This vulnerability enables lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks by providing attackers with access to critical network management information that could be leveraged to compromise additional systems. The impact is particularly severe given that network management systems often contain privileged credentials and configuration details that provide extensive access to network infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1003.001 (OS Credential Dumping) where attackers can exploit the exposed data to escalate their access and maintain persistence within the network environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to NETSAS Enigma NMS version 65.1.0 or later, which includes proper encryption mechanisms for sensitive data storage. System administrators must also implement database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to the SQL database. The implementation of proper encryption at rest using industry-standard cryptographic protocols should be mandatory for all sensitive data stored within the system. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their network management systems to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement robust data protection policies that align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to ensure that data protection mechanisms remain effective against evolving threats and attack vectors.