CVE-2020-35929 in TinyCheck
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2021
In TinyCheck before commits 9fd360d and ea53de8, the installation script of the tool contained hard-coded credentials to the backend part of the tool. This information could be used by an attacker for unauthorized access to remote data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-35929 represents a critical security flaw in the TinyCheck network monitoring tool that existed prior to specific code commits. This issue stems from the installation script containing hard-coded credentials that grant access to the backend components of the system. The presence of such hardcoded authentication information creates a fundamental weakness in the tool's security architecture, as these credentials remain static and unchanged throughout the tool's deployment lifecycle. Security researchers and threat actors who gain access to the installation script can easily extract these hardcoded credentials and leverage them for unauthorized access to sensitive backend systems. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and proper credential management, as it bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and provides direct access paths to critical infrastructure components. This flaw represents a classic example of insecure credential storage practices that violate fundamental security best practices and industry standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation script serving as an attack vector for credential extraction. When the script executes during tool deployment, it contains embedded authentication details that are not dynamically generated or securely managed. These hard-coded credentials typically include usernames, passwords, or API keys that are hardcoded directly into the script source code. The vulnerability exists because the developers failed to implement proper credential management mechanisms, instead choosing to embed sensitive information directly within the installation process. This approach creates a persistent security risk that remains active regardless of system updates or security patches. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it affects the initial deployment phase, meaning that any entity with access to the installation script can immediately gain backend access without needing to exploit additional vulnerabilities or perform complex reconnaissance.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-35929 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within affected networks. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can access remote data repositories, manipulate backend configurations, and potentially escalate their privileges to gain full administrative control over the monitoring infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and persistence tactics, as it provides a method for attackers to obtain valid credentials and maintain access to target systems. The vulnerability also represents a weakness in the software supply chain, as compromised installation scripts can affect multiple deployments across different environments. Organizations using TinyCheck versions prior to the mentioned commits face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise, particularly in environments where network monitoring tools are deployed with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation actions including updating to versions that contain the specified commits 9fd360d and ea53de8, which address the hardcoded credential issue. Organizations should implement proper credential management practices such as using environment variables, configuration files with restricted access permissions, or secure credential storage solutions. The fix should ensure that authentication information is dynamically generated or retrieved from secure sources rather than embedded within installation scripts. Security teams must conduct thorough audits of all installation scripts and deployment configurations to identify and remove any remaining hardcoded credentials. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for backend systems, regular credential rotation practices, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities. This remediation effort should also include security awareness training for developers to prevent future occurrences of hardcoded credentials in software deployments, aligning with security standards such as those defined in the CWE database under CWE-798. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect hardcoded credentials in source code repositories and deployment scripts to prevent recurrence of such issues.