CVE-2021-35232 in Web Help Desk
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2021
Hard coded credentials discovered in SolarWinds Web Help Desk product. Through these credentials, the attacker with local access to the Web Help Desk host machine allows to execute arbitrary HQL queries against the database and leverage the vulnerability to steal the password hashes of the users or insert arbitrary data into the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-35232 represents a critical security flaw within the SolarWinds Web Help Desk product that stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials. This issue manifests through the presence of hardcoded credentials within the software components, creating an inherent weakness that directly compromises the system's integrity and confidentiality. The discovery of such credentials within the application code constitutes a fundamental failure in secure development practices and provides attackers with a direct pathway to unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves hardcoded authentication credentials that are embedded within the Web Help Desk application binaries or configuration files. These credentials are typically stored in plain text format, making them easily accessible to any attacker who gains local access to the host machine. The presence of such credentials allows an attacker to authenticate to the system without requiring legitimate user credentials or authentication mechanisms. This flaw directly relates to CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a severe violation of the principle of least privilege in security design. The hardcoded credentials enable unauthorized access to the underlying database system through the Web Help Desk application.
Once an attacker gains local access to the Web Help Desk host machine, they can leverage the hardcoded credentials to establish database connections and execute arbitrary HQL (Hibernate Query Language) queries against the database backend. This capability provides extensive operational flexibility to the attacker, enabling them to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and data manipulation. The HQL injection capabilities allow for complex database operations that can extract sensitive information such as user password hashes, personal data, and system configuration details. The vulnerability creates a direct path for attackers to move laterally within the network and potentially escalate their privileges to gain administrative access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables comprehensive data compromise and system manipulation. Attackers can exploit the hardcoded credentials to steal password hashes, which can then be cracked or used directly in credential reuse attacks against other systems. The ability to insert arbitrary data into the database allows for data corruption, injection of malicious content, and potential disruption of business operations. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended periods without detection, as the hardcoded credentials remain intact unless the software is properly updated or patched. The compromised system becomes a potential staging ground for further attacks and reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-35232 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that eliminate the hardcoded credentials and implement proper authentication mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure complete remediation. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced by removing unnecessary hardcoded credentials and implementing dynamic authentication systems. Security controls should include regular code reviews to identify and eliminate hardcoded credentials, network segmentation to limit local access to critical systems, and continuous monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement proper credential management practices and consider adopting multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of any remaining credential-based vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough testing to ensure that the patch implementation does not introduce new compatibility issues or service disruptions while maintaining the system's operational integrity.