CVE-2024-4740 in MXsecurity
Summary
by MITRE • 10/18/2024
MXsecurity software versions v1.1.0 and prior are vulnerable because of the use of hard-coded credentials. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to tamper with sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2024-4740 affects MXsecurity software versions v1.1.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the application's codebase. This issue falls under the broader category of insecure credential management, which is classified as CWE-798 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The presence of hard-coded credentials within the software's source code or configuration files creates a persistent security risk that undermines the fundamental principles of secure authentication practices. When developers embed credentials directly into the application's code rather than implementing proper credential management systems, they create a situation where these sensitive identifiers become permanently exposed and accessible to anyone with access to the application's source code or binary files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the direct embedding of usernames, passwords, or API keys within the software's code structure, typically in configuration files, source code repositories, or database connection strings. This approach violates established security best practices and creates a single point of failure that attackers can exploit through various means including static code analysis, reverse engineering, or simple code inspection. The hard-coded credentials are not only accessible to malicious actors who gain access to the software but also pose risks during software distribution, version control system exposure, and potential insider threats. Attackers can leverage these credentials to gain unauthorized access to backend systems, databases, or network resources that the software is designed to interface with, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized data access, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it enables attackers to tamper with sensitive data, which directly affects data integrity and confidentiality.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations that rely on MXsecurity software for their cybersecurity operations. When hard-coded credentials are present, they create a persistent threat vector that remains active throughout the software's lifecycle, regardless of system updates or security patches. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized data manipulation, which falls under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1484 for "Data Manipulation" and T1078 for "Valid Accounts." Organizations may experience significant data integrity issues as attackers can modify sensitive information, potentially leading to false security alerts, compromised threat intelligence, or manipulated security configurations. The vulnerability also creates challenges for compliance requirements, as it violates security standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, which mandate proper credential management and access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-4740 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future software deployments. Organizations should immediately update to software versions that address this vulnerability, typically those beyond v1.1.0, and conduct thorough code reviews to identify any other instances of hard-coded credentials within their software ecosystem. The implementation of proper credential management solutions including secure vaults, environment variables, or dedicated credential management services should be prioritized. Security teams should also implement automated scanning tools that can detect hard-coded credentials in code repositories and configuration files. Additionally, organizations should establish secure development lifecycle practices that include mandatory credential management training for developers, code review processes that specifically check for hard-coded credentials, and the implementation of continuous integration pipelines that automatically scan for such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include the immediate revocation and replacement of any compromised credentials and thorough monitoring for unauthorized access attempts that may have occurred during the period when the hard-coded credentials were active.