CVE-2024-29011 in GMS
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2024
Use of hard-coded password in the GMS ECM endpoint leading to authentication bypass vulnerability.
This issue affects GMS: 9.3.4 and earlier versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2026
The vulnerability under examination involves a critical authentication bypass flaw discovered in GMS ECM endpoint software versions 9.3.4 and earlier. This security weakness stems from the implementation of hard-coded passwords within the system's authentication mechanism, creating a persistent backdoor that undermines the entire access control framework. The presence of hardcoded credentials represents a fundamental architectural failure that allows unauthorized parties to gain immediate administrative access without proper authentication.
The technical implementation flaw manifests through the inclusion of static password values directly embedded within the application code or configuration files. This approach violates established security principles and industry standards such as CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software implementations. The vulnerability creates a persistent access point that remains functional across system restarts and updates, making it particularly dangerous for long-running enterprise applications. Attackers who discover these hardcoded credentials can bypass all standard authentication mechanisms and gain full administrative privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing affected GMS versions as it enables complete system compromise without the need for sophisticated attack techniques or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data exfiltration, system manipulation, and lateral movement within network environments. Security teams face the challenge of identifying all instances where hardcoded credentials might exist throughout their infrastructure, as these backdoors can persist undetected for extended periods.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, demonstrating how hardcoded passwords enable attackers to establish persistent presence within target environments. Organizations may experience severe consequences including regulatory violations, financial losses, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The remediation process requires comprehensive code review and reimplementation of authentication mechanisms without hardcoded credentials.
Security best practices dictate that all authentication credentials should be dynamically managed through secure configuration management systems, with regular rotation policies implemented across the entire infrastructure. Organizations must conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of hardcoded passwords within their software ecosystems. The solution involves implementing robust credential management systems that align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and ensure proper separation of duties between development and operational environments. This specific vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and avoiding hard-coded secrets in production applications to maintain system integrity and protect against unauthorized access attempts.