CVE-2021-38422 in DIALink
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior stores sensitive information in cleartext, which may allow an attacker to have extensive access to the application directory and escalate privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2021
Delta Electronics DIALink software versions 1.2.4.0 and earlier contain a critical security flaw that violates fundamental information security principles by storing sensitive data in plain text format. This vulnerability represents a direct violation of security best practices and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The cleartext storage of sensitive information typically includes authentication credentials, configuration parameters, and potentially system-level access tokens that would normally be protected through proper encryption mechanisms. This flaw falls under the CWE-312 category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information" which is classified as a high-severity issue due to its potential for widespread impact when exploited. The vulnerability exists within the application's internal data management processes where sensitive information is persisted without adequate cryptographic protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the DIALink application framework. When the software stores credentials, session identifiers, or administrative access keys in cleartext, it creates an easily exploitable weakness that can be leveraged by attackers with access to the application directory. The attack vector typically involves local file system access where an attacker can directly read the stored information without requiring additional authentication or complex exploitation techniques. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where an attacker can leverage the cleartext credentials to gain elevated access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer rather than requiring network-based attacks or complex exploitation chains, making it accessible to a broader range of threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with extensive access to the application directory and potentially full system privileges. Once an attacker obtains the cleartext information, they can perform actions such as modifying application configurations, creating new administrative accounts, accessing restricted data repositories, and executing unauthorized operations within the system. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through stored credentials and privilege escalation through local account manipulation. The impact is particularly severe in environments where DIALink is deployed with administrative privileges or where the application directory contains sensitive operational data. Organizations using affected versions may experience complete system compromise if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, leading to potential data breaches, system corruption, or unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to the latest version of DIALink that addresses this vulnerability, implementing proper encryption for sensitive data storage, and conducting thorough security assessments of the application directory. The remediation approach should include comprehensive access controls, regular security auditing of stored credentials, and implementation of proper key management practices. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access to sensitive directories and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper information security practices and demonstrates how seemingly simple implementation flaws can create significant security risks. The remediation process should also include employee training on secure coding practices and proper data handling procedures to prevent similar issues in future software deployments.