CVE-2019-3431 in ZXCLOUD GoldenData VAP
Summary
by MITRE
All versions up to V4.01.01.02 of ZTE ZXCLOUD GoldenData VAP product have encryption problems vulnerability. Attackers could sniff unencrypted account and password through the network for front-end system access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3431 affects ZTE ZXCLOUD GoldenData VAP product versions up to V4.01.01.02, representing a critical security flaw in the system's authentication and data transmission mechanisms. This encryption problem fundamentally undermines the security posture of the front-end system by failing to properly encrypt sensitive authentication credentials during network transmission, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to intercept and decode user account and password information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the product's failure to implement proper encryption protocols for credential transmission, which directly maps to CWE-312 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information. The system transmits authentication data in an unencrypted format over the network, making it susceptible to passive network sniffing attacks where attackers can capture and analyze network traffic to extract login credentials. This weakness exists at the application layer where user authentication information flows through the network infrastructure without adequate cryptographic protection, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized access to the front-end system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system through credential theft, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform lateral movement within the network, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access to the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system by allowing unauthorized parties to obtain legitimate user credentials, which can then be used to access sensitive data and system resources. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the ZTE ZXCLOUD GoldenData VAP platform for their front-end operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of secure communication protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher for all network communications, mandatory encryption of authentication credentials, and deployment of network monitoring tools to detect and prevent credential sniffing activities. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface, enforce strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication, and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar encryption weaknesses. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security standards such as those outlined in the NIST SP 800-52 guidance for secure network communications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1075 - Pass the Hash and T1566 - Phishing for Information, demonstrating the need for comprehensive network security controls to prevent credential-based attacks.