CVE-2023-5384 in Infinispan
Summary
by MITRE • 12/18/2023
A flaw was found in Infinispan. When serializing the configuration for a cache to XML/JSON/YAML, which contains credentials (JDBC store with connection pooling, remote store), the credentials are returned in clear text as part of the configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2024
This vulnerability exists within the Infinispan distributed caching system where the configuration serialization process fails to properly sanitize sensitive information. The flaw manifests when the system generates XML/JSON/YAML representations of cache configurations that include credentials for JDBC stores with connection pooling and remote stores. The vulnerability represents a classic information exposure issue where authentication credentials are inadvertently exposed in plaintext format within configuration artifacts that are typically used for system administration and deployment purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient credential handling during the serialization process. When Infinispan processes cache configurations containing database connection details or remote store credentials, the system does not adequately mask or remove sensitive fields before generating the serialized output. This behavior violates fundamental security principles regarding the protection of authentication credentials and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-209 Information Exposure Through an Error Message, as well as CWE-312 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, since credentials are stored and transmitted in plaintext within configuration files that may be accessible to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Infinispan for distributed caching operations. Attackers who gain access to configuration files, either through direct system compromise, insecure file permissions, or during deployment processes, can extract database credentials and remote store authentication information. This exposure enables unauthorized access to backend databases and remote systems, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using JDBC stores with connection pooling and remote stores, which are common patterns in enterprise caching architectures where persistent storage is required for cache data durability.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that properly sanitize configuration outputs. System administrators should configure appropriate file permissions and access controls on configuration files to limit exposure to authorized personnel only. Additionally, organizations should implement automated scanning processes to identify and remove sensitive information from configuration artifacts before deployment. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 Unsecured Credentials and T1078 Valid Accounts, as these approaches address both the exposure of credentials and the potential for unauthorized access through compromised credentials. Regular security audits of configuration management processes and implementation of secrets management solutions can further reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing configuration management tools that automatically redact sensitive information during the serialization process, ensuring that credential exposure cannot occur through configuration artifact generation.