CVE-2020-7196 in BlueData EPIC Software Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2020
The HPE BlueData EPIC Software Platform version 4.0 and HPE Ezmeral Container Platform 5.0 use an insecure method of handling sensitive Kerberos passwords that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval. Specifically, they display the kdc_admin_password in the source file of the url "/bdswebui/assignusers/".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7196 represents a critical security flaw in HPE BlueData EPIC Software Platform version 4.0 and HPE Ezmeral Container Platform 5.0 that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of authentication mechanisms. This weakness stems from the insecure handling of Kerberos administrative passwords within the platform's web interface, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the exposure of the kdc_admin_password parameter within the source code of the web application's URL endpoint at /bdswebui/assignusers/. This insecure practice violates fundamental security principles by making sensitive authentication information directly accessible through client-side source code inspection. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and more broadly aligns with CWE-312, "Sensitive Data Exposure," as it directly exposes administrative credentials that should remain protected. The flaw exists at the application layer where the platform fails to properly sanitize or obfuscate sensitive data during web interface rendering.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations deploying these HPE platforms as it provides attackers with immediate access to Kerberos administrative credentials that can be used to compromise the entire authentication infrastructure. The exposure occurs through a web-based interface that is typically accessible to authorized users, but the insecure implementation means that any individual with access to the web interface or ability to intercept network traffic can extract the password. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, "Credentials In Files," and T1078.002, "Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts," as it provides access to administrative credentials that can be leveraged for persistent access and privilege escalation. The impact extends beyond immediate credential compromise as the exposed Kerberos password can be used to authenticate to other services within the Kerberos realm, potentially enabling lateral movement throughout the network.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the vulnerable web interface, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and ensuring that all administrative credentials are rotated and changed. The platform should be updated to a version that properly handles sensitive data through secure coding practices that prevent information disclosure in web source code. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring to detect access patterns to the vulnerable endpoint, deploying web application firewalls to block access to the specific URL, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within the platform. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating security configurations to ensure that no other sensitive data is exposed through similar mechanisms in the platform's web interface.