CVE-2023-37468 in Feedbacksystem
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2023
Feedbacksystem is a personalized feedback system for students using artificial intelligence. Passwords of users using LDAP login are stored in clear text in the database. The LDAP users password is passed unencrypted in the LoginController.scala and stored in the database when logging in for the first time. Users using only local login or the cas login are not affected. This issue has been patched in version 1.19.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2023
The feedbacksystem represents a personalized educational platform that leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate student feedback processes. This system incorporates multiple authentication mechanisms including LDAP, local login, and CAS login options to accommodate diverse institutional requirements. The vulnerability under examination specifically targets the LDAP authentication pathway within this feedback infrastructure, creating a significant security risk that affects the confidentiality and integrity of user credentials.
The technical flaw manifests in the LoginController.scala component where LDAP user passwords are transmitted and stored without encryption. When users authenticate through LDAP for the first time, their credentials flow unencrypted through the system and are subsequently persisted in the database in clear text format. This represents a critical failure in the system's credential handling architecture, as the password storage mechanism lacks any form of cryptographic protection or hashing mechanism. The vulnerability exists specifically within the LDAP integration layer, where the system fails to implement proper security controls for credential transmission and storage, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized access to user passwords.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any institution relying on LDAP integration within the feedbacksystem. Attackers who gain access to the database can immediately retrieve all LDAP user passwords in plaintext format, enabling them to impersonate users across multiple systems where these credentials might be reused. This creates a cascading security risk that could compromise not only the feedbacksystem but also other applications and services that depend on the same LDAP directory. The vulnerability affects all users who authenticate through LDAP, potentially exposing thousands of student and faculty accounts to unauthorized access, particularly in educational environments where password reuse is common.
The security implications of this clear text password storage align with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of sensitive data. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials obtained through password reuse or credential dumping, and T1566, which involves the exploitation of credential exposure for initial access. Organizations using this system face potential regulatory compliance violations under data protection frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, or similar privacy regulations that mandate the protection of sensitive user information. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of security controls in the credential management pipeline, representing a critical gap in the system's defense-in-depth strategy.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of password hashing mechanisms within the LDAP authentication flow, ensuring that all passwords are encrypted using strong cryptographic algorithms before database storage. The system should implement proper credential handling protocols that include secure transmission of authentication data and the use of industry-standard password hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. Organizations should also implement monitoring and alerting for unauthorized database access attempts, particularly those targeting credential storage areas. The patch version 1.19.2 addresses this issue through proper credential encryption and secure storage mechanisms, requiring all affected institutions to upgrade immediately to prevent exploitation. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive credential reviews and enforce password reset procedures for all LDAP users to minimize potential exposure from any previously compromised credentials.