CVE-2019-4385 in Spectrum Protect Plus
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.2 may display the vSnap CIFS password in the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Joblog. This can result in an attacker gaining access to sensitive information as well as vSnap. IBM X-Force ID: 162173.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus version 10.1.2 contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes vSnap CIFS passwords within job log files, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on this data protection solution. The flaw manifests when the system logs job execution details, inadvertently including cleartext credentials that should remain protected. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the storage environment, as the exposed passwords could enable unauthorized access to network attached storage systems through the vSnap appliance. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the logging mechanism, allowing sensitive authentication data to flow through the system without proper obfuscation or encryption. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness in information disclosure where sensitive information is exposed to unauthorized parties through improper logging practices. The vulnerability creates a direct path for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network infrastructure, as attackers who gain access to the job logs can extract the CIFS credentials and use them to authenticate to the vSnap storage appliances. This exposure particularly affects organizations using vSnap for backup and recovery operations, as the compromised credentials could provide access to critical data repositories and potentially enable full system compromise. The operational impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as the exposure of storage authentication details could lead to data exfiltration, system disruption, and compliance violations. Organizations using this version of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise, especially in environments where the job logs are accessible to unauthorized personnel. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol communication, as the exposure occurs through the application's logging and reporting mechanisms. Security professionals should note that this issue represents a fundamental flaw in secure logging practices where sensitive data handling procedures are not properly implemented. The IBM X-Force ID 162173 further validates the severity of this exposure, indicating that the vulnerability has been recognized by the security community as a significant risk requiring immediate attention. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including log access controls, credential rotation, and enhanced monitoring of job log file access patterns to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper data sanitization within the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application. When the system processes backup jobs involving vSnap CIFS connections, it stores authentication credentials in plain text format within the job log output. This practice violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that adversaries can exploit without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors. The logging system does not differentiate between sensitive and non-sensitive data, resulting in the automatic inclusion of authentication tokens, passwords, and connection details in the audit trail. This flaw represents a classic example of improper output handling where sensitive information flows through application components without appropriate security controls. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and affects the system's ability to maintain data confidentiality, particularly in environments where job logs are stored in accessible locations or maintained for extended periods. Security controls that should be implemented include automatic credential obfuscation in log files, role-based access controls on log data, and regular log auditing to detect unauthorized access attempts. The exposure of CIFS credentials through this mechanism creates a multi-layered risk scenario where attackers can potentially access multiple systems using the same compromised authentication details. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as encrypted log storage, automated credential management, and regular security assessments to address the root cause of this vulnerability. The impact of this information disclosure extends to compliance requirements, as many regulatory frameworks mandate the protection of authentication credentials and sensitive data within system logs. This vulnerability essentially undermines the integrity of the backup and recovery infrastructure, as the very tools designed to protect data become potential attack vectors for unauthorized access. The flaw demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper security architecture design in enterprise software solutions, particularly those handling sensitive data and authentication information.