CVE-2021-38938 in Host Access Transformation Services
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
IBM Host Access Transformation Services (HATS) 9.6 through 9.6.1.4 and 9.7 through 9.7.0.3 stores user credentials in plain clear text which can be read by a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 210989.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2024
IBM Host Access Transformation Services represents a critical vulnerability in version ranges 9.6 through 9.6.1.4 and 9.7 through 9.7.0.3 where user authentication credentials are persistently stored in unencrypted plain text format. This flaw constitutes a fundamental security failure that directly violates industry best practices for credential handling and data protection. The vulnerability exists within the credential storage mechanism of the HATS platform, which is designed to facilitate host system access and transformation services. When user authentication information is stored in clear text, any local user with access to the system can easily extract these credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This represents a severe violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor security implementation in accordance with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to this vulnerability, as local access to the system becomes equivalent to having full authentication credentials for all users of the service. This weakness directly enables privilege escalation attacks and facilitates unauthorized access to backend systems that the HATS service interfaces with. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent risk that remains active as long as the vulnerable software remains installed, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where system compromise can lead to extensive lateral movement and data exfiltration. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which focuses on credentials from password stores, and represents a clear failure in the secure credential management practices that should be implemented according to NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for authentication and lifecycle management.
The technical implementation of this flaw suggests that IBM's credential storage subsystem does not employ proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms for sensitive data. This indicates a design-level security deficiency rather than a simple coding error, as the system architecture fails to incorporate basic security controls for credential protection. The plain text storage of credentials creates an immediate and severe risk for any system where local user access is possible, including shared workstations, development environments, or systems with compromised local accounts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of the HATS platform, indicating a widespread implementation issue that requires immediate remediation across affected installations. Attackers can exploit this weakness through simple file system enumeration and read operations, requiring no specialized tools or advanced exploitation techniques. This makes the vulnerability highly accessible to both malicious actors and potentially compromised insiders who may have legitimate local access to the system. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these credentials may provide access to enterprise mainframe systems, databases, and other critical infrastructure components that the HATS service facilitates access to. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available versions, implementing additional access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized local system access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure credential storage practices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such fundamental flaws from reaching production environments.