CVE-2022-35540 in AgileConfig
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
Hardcoded JWT Secret in AgileConfig <1.6.8 Server allows remote attackers to use the generated JWT token to gain administrator access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35540 represents a critical security flaw in AgileConfig versions prior to 1.6.8 where a hardcoded JSON Web Token secret is embedded within the server application code. This fundamental design flaw creates an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to generate valid administrator tokens without proper authentication. The issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper secret management practices, resulting in a static cryptographic key that remains unchanged across deployments and system instances.
This vulnerability operates at the core of the application's authentication mechanism, specifically targeting the JSON Web Token generation process. When AgileConfig generates tokens for user authentication, it utilizes a predetermined secret value that is hardcoded within the source code or configuration files. Attackers who can obtain this secret through various means such as source code analysis, reverse engineering, or exposure during application deployment can subsequently forge valid administrator tokens. The flaw directly violates security best practices for cryptographic key management and represents a classic example of insecure credential storage as categorized under CWE-798. The hardcoded nature of the secret eliminates the possibility of dynamic key rotation and creates a persistent attack vector that remains viable across system reboots and deployments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can assume full administrative control over the AgileConfig server, gaining access to all managed configuration data, user credentials, and system settings. This level of access enables unauthorized modification of application configurations, potential data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in cloud environments where applications may be exposed to the internet. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for initial access through credential manipulation and T1078.004 for valid accounts through stolen credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through patching to version 1.6.8 or later where proper secret management practices have been implemented. Organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all instances of vulnerable AgileConfig deployments and ensure comprehensive patching across all environments. The solution involves implementing dynamic secret generation and secure storage mechanisms that comply with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management. Additionally, organizations should implement proper configuration management practices to prevent hardcoded secrets from being deployed in production environments. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar patterns in other applications, and automated scanning tools should be deployed to detect hardcoded credentials in source code repositories. The remediation process must also include decommissioning any existing hardcoded secrets and implementing proper key rotation mechanisms to ensure long-term security posture maintenance.