CVE-2024-3182 in Hawk
Summary
by MITRE • 05/15/2024
Install-type password disclosure vulnerability in Universal Installer including the Silent Installer in TIBCO Hawk versions 6.2.0, 6.2.1, 6.2.2 and 6.2.3 allows user's Enterprise Message Service (EMS) password to be exposed outside of the hawkagent.cfg and hawkevent.cfg config files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3182 represents a critical security flaw within TIBCO Hawk versions 6.2.0 through 6.2.3, specifically affecting the Universal Installer and Silent Installer components. This issue manifests as an install-type password disclosure vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the integrity of enterprise messaging security configurations. The vulnerability occurs during the installation process when enterprise message service credentials are inadvertently exposed beyond their designated configuration file boundaries, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to enterprise messaging infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials during the installation phase of TIBCO Hawk software. When the Universal Installer or Silent Installer processes the enterprise message service password, it fails to maintain proper isolation of sensitive data within the hawkagent.cfg and hawkevent.cfg configuration files. This flaw allows the password to be written to temporary files, log outputs, or other system locations where unauthorized users or processes might gain access. The vulnerability specifically affects the Enterprise Message Service authentication mechanism, which is critical for maintaining secure communication within enterprise messaging architectures.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3182 extends beyond immediate credential exposure to encompass broader enterprise security implications. Organizations utilizing affected TIBCO Hawk versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their messaging infrastructure, potentially enabling attackers to intercept, modify, or disrupt critical enterprise communications. The vulnerability creates persistent security weaknesses that remain active throughout the system lifecycle, as the exposed credentials can be leveraged for lateral movement within networks or to access additional enterprise resources. This exposure particularly threatens organizations that rely heavily on TIBCO Hawk for mission-critical messaging services and require strict access controls for their enterprise message service components.
Security professionals should reference CWE-200 for information disclosure vulnerabilities and consider the ATT&CK framework's T1552.001 technique for credentials in files, which directly relates to this vulnerability's exploitation methods. Organizations must implement immediate remediation strategies including patching to affected versions, reviewing system logs for credential exposure, and conducting comprehensive security audits of messaging infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK's privilege escalation and credential access tactics, making it particularly dangerous in environments where attackers might use exposed credentials to establish persistent access or move laterally within enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to versions that address the credential exposure issue, alongside comprehensive monitoring of system logs and temporary file locations for evidence of credential leakage. Security teams must conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems where the affected installer components were executed, ensuring that exposed credentials are promptly rotated and that proper access controls are implemented to prevent future exposure. Additional defensive measures include implementing file system permissions controls, monitoring for unauthorized file access patterns, and establishing automated detection mechanisms for credential exposure events. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure credential handling during software installation processes and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of installer components in enterprise software distributions.