CVE-2019-4325 in AppScan Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2020
"HCL AppScan Enterprise makes use of broken or risky cryptographic algorithm to store REST API user details."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4325 affects HCL AppScan Enterprise, a comprehensive application security testing platform that helps organizations identify and remediate security vulnerabilities in their web applications. This particular weakness resides in the platform's handling of REST API user credentials, where the system employs cryptographic algorithms that are either outdated, weak, or improperly implemented. The issue represents a significant security concern as it directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user authentication data within the enterprise security testing environment.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of broken or risky cryptographic algorithms for storing REST API user details, which falls under the broader category of cryptographic weakness vulnerabilities. This implementation fails to meet modern security standards for data protection and authentication, potentially allowing attackers to compromise user credentials through various attack vectors including cryptographic analysis, brute force attempts, or exploitation of known weaknesses in the chosen algorithm. The vulnerability specifically targets the storage mechanism for REST API user information, suggesting that authentication tokens, passwords, or other sensitive credential data are not adequately protected using industry-standard encryption practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it undermines the fundamental security posture of the AppScan Enterprise platform itself. Organizations relying on this tool for application security testing may inadvertently expose their own sensitive authentication data, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The compromise of REST API user details could enable unauthorized access to the security testing platform, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate test results, access confidential security data, or even conduct unauthorized security assessments against target systems. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of broken cryptographic algorithms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-4325 should prioritize immediate implementation of strong cryptographic standards including the adoption of FIPS-compliant encryption algorithms such as AES-256 for data at rest and secure hashing algorithms like SHA-256 for password storage. Organizations should implement proper key management practices, ensure regular cryptographic algorithm updates, and conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other instances of weak cryptographic implementations within the platform. The remediation process should include replacing existing vulnerable cryptographic implementations with modern, well-vetted algorithms that meet current industry standards and regulatory requirements, while also implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic practices and adherence to security frameworks such as those defined in NIST SP 800-57 and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics.