CVE-2020-9337 in Course Manager
Summary
by MITRE
In GolfBuddy Course Manager 1.1, passwords are sent (with base64 encoding) via a GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9337 represents a critical security flaw in the GolfBuddy Course Manager version 1.1 software where sensitive authentication credentials are transmitted using base64 encoding within HTTP GET requests. This design decision fundamentally undermines the security of the authentication process by exposing passwords in a manner that violates established security best practices. The use of base64 encoding in this context provides no actual cryptographic protection and merely obfuscates the password from casual observation while still making it easily accessible to attackers who can intercept network traffic. This vulnerability directly contravenes the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B and OWASP authentication guidelines.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's improper handling of authentication data by embedding base64 encoded passwords within URL parameters of GET requests. This approach exposes the credentials to multiple attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, network packet sniffing, server log exposure, and browser history persistence. The GET method inherently appends data to the URL which means credentials become visible in web server logs, proxy server logs, browser history, and referrer headers. This represents a direct violation of CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-542 (CWE-542: Sensitive Information in Log Files) classifications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can exploit the exposed credentials through various network interception methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive course management data. An attacker who intercepts the network traffic can easily decode the base64 encoded password and gain unauthorized access to the GolfBuddy Course Manager system, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized course modifications, or complete system takeover. The exposure of administrative credentials through this method creates a significant risk for golf course managers who rely on the system for storing sensitive operational data and user information. This vulnerability also increases the attack surface for credential reuse attacks, as compromised passwords can be used across multiple systems if users employ the same credentials elsewhere. Organizations using this software face potential regulatory compliance violations under standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS due to the insecure handling of personally identifiable information and authentication credentials.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2020-9337 involve immediate implementation of secure authentication protocols including the use of POST requests with proper encryption, implementation of HTTPS with strong TLS configurations, and adoption of modern authentication mechanisms such as OAuth 2.0 or JWT tokens. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, monitor for unusual authentication patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The software vendor must release a patched version that removes the insecure credential transmission method and implements proper authentication security measures. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and credential rotation policies to minimize the impact of any potential credential compromise. The remediation efforts should align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and follow the principle of defense in depth as recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for preventing similar authentication-related vulnerabilities.