CVE-2019-3736 in Integrated Data Protection Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
Dell EMC Integrated Data Protection Appliance versions prior to 2.3 contain a password storage vulnerability in the ACM component. A remote authenticated malicious user with root privileges may potentially use a support tool to decrypt encrypted passwords stored locally on the system to use it to access other components using the privileges of the compromised user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2023
The CVE-2019-3736 vulnerability affects Dell EMC Integrated Data Protection Appliance systems running versions prior to 2.3, specifically within the ACM component that handles password storage mechanisms. This weakness represents a critical security flaw that undermines the system's ability to maintain proper credential isolation and confidentiality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate encryption practices within the local password storage implementation, creating a scenario where authenticated attackers with root-level privileges can exploit support tools to decrypt stored passwords. Such a flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection and demonstrates poor implementation of cryptographic controls that should safeguard sensitive authentication data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the use of support tools that are designed for legitimate administrative purposes but are misused by malicious actors to access encrypted password storage areas. When an attacker possesses root privileges, they can leverage these tools to perform decryption operations on password hashes or encrypted credentials stored locally on the system. The ACM component's password storage mechanism fails to properly implement secure key management or encryption algorithms, allowing for potential reverse engineering of stored credentials. This weakness creates a direct path for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the system, as compromised passwords can then be used to access other components and services that rely on the same authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3736 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to critical system components and potentially compromise entire network infrastructures. Once attackers can decrypt stored passwords, they gain the ability to access other system services, databases, and administrative interfaces that may have been protected by the compromised credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on centralized password management and automated system administration, as the compromise of one credential can cascade into access to multiple system components. The attack vector requires only authenticated access with root privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative accounts have broad system access or where root compromise can occur through other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3736 should focus on immediate system updates to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the password storage vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit root access to only essential administrative personnel, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Regular security audits and monitoring of support tool usage should be implemented to detect unauthorized access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in password storage implementations, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for Unsecured Credentials. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication layers, such as multi-factor authentication, to provide defense-in-depth against credential compromise scenarios. Proper key management practices and regular credential rotation should be enforced to minimize the impact of any potential compromise.