CVE-2023-25495 in XClarity Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2023
A valid, authenticated administrative user can query a web interface API to reveal the configured LDAP client password used by XCC to authenticate to an external LDAP server in certain configurations. There is no exposure where no LDAP client password is configured
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in XCC systems that directly impacts authentication security controls. The vulnerability arises from improper access control mechanisms within the web interface API that allows authenticated administrative users to query system configuration data without adequate authorization checks. When an XCC system is configured to use LDAP authentication, it must maintain a client password for establishing secure connections to external LDAP servers. The flaw enables authenticated users to access this sensitive credential through API endpoints that should only be accessible to system administrators with specific privileges. This represents a significant deviation from the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and access control implementation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and CWE-284, which covers improper access control. The flaw exists specifically in environments where LDAP client passwords are configured, meaning systems without LDAP integration remain unaffected. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain access to credentials that allow them to impersonate the XCC system within external LDAP environments, potentially enabling lateral movement and privilege escalation within the target organization's directory services. The vulnerability operates through API query mechanisms that should enforce strict authentication and authorization boundaries, but instead expose sensitive configuration data to any authenticated user with administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential exposure to encompass broader security implications within enterprise environments that rely on LDAP integration. An attacker with administrative access could use the exposed LDAP password to authenticate to external directory services, potentially gaining access to additional systems, user accounts, or sensitive data within the LDAP domain. This creates a pathway for persistent access and privilege escalation that could remain undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability also undermines trust in the system's access control mechanisms and could lead to compliance violations in regulated environments where credential protection is mandatory. Organizations using XCC systems with LDAP integration face significant risk of unauthorized access to their directory services and potential compromise of user authentication infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting API access to only authorized administrative users with specific roles, implementing additional authentication layers for sensitive configuration data queries, and ensuring that LDAP client passwords are regularly rotated. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all API endpoints to identify similar access control weaknesses and implement proper input validation and access control checks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation and proper segregation of duties within administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration data, as well as regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar access control flaws. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and maintaining detailed audit logs of configuration changes can help detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The flaw demonstrates the critical need for proper security testing of API endpoints and configuration management practices that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information.