CVE-2019-19218 in Control-M
Summary
by MITRE
BMC Control-M/Agent 7.0.00.000 has Insecure Password Storage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19218 affects BMC Control-M/Agent version 7.0.00.000 and represents a critical security flaw in password storage mechanisms. This issue falls under the category of insecure credential handling, where sensitive authentication information is not properly protected within the system. The vulnerability stems from the agent's failure to implement adequate cryptographic measures for storing passwords, leaving credentials susceptible to unauthorized access and potential exploitation.
The technical implementation flaw involves the agent's password storage methodology which does not employ proper encryption or hashing techniques. Instead of utilizing industry-standard cryptographic approaches such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, the system stores passwords in a manner that allows for easy retrieval by attackers who gain access to the system. This insecure practice directly violates security best practices and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the core authentication mechanisms of the Control-M/Agent platform, which is widely used for job scheduling and automation in enterprise environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on BMC Control-M/Agent for critical business processes. Attackers who exploit this weakness can gain access to legitimate user credentials and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to encompass potential lateral movement throughout the network, as Control-M agents often operate with elevated privileges and access to sensitive infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access techniques, specifically targeting credential dumping and privilege escalation vectors. The compromised credentials could enable attackers to manipulate scheduled jobs, access restricted systems, or conduct further reconnaissance activities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available version of BMC Control-M/Agent that addresses this insecure password storage issue. System administrators should conduct comprehensive credential audits to identify any potential compromise, while implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and privileged access management solutions. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening password policies, ensuring that all stored credentials are properly encrypted using strong cryptographic algorithms. Security teams should monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper credential management and the necessity of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the CWE database under category 522, which specifically addresses insufficiently protected credentials.