CVE-2024-5012 in WhatsUp Gold
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2024
In WhatsUp Gold versions released before 2023.1.3, there is a missing authentication vulnerability in WUGDataAccess.Credentials. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to disclose Windows Credentials stored in the product Credential Library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5012 affects WhatsUp Gold network monitoring software, specifically versions prior to 2023.1.3, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw within the WUGDataAccess.Credentials component. This issue stems from inadequate access controls that permit unauthorized individuals to exploit the credential storage mechanism without proper authentication. The vulnerability manifests through a missing authentication check that should normally validate user credentials before granting access to sensitive credential data stored within the product's Credential Library. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of access control and privilege management, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on the software for network monitoring and management operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass the authentication layer entirely when attempting to access stored Windows credentials within the WhatsUp Gold system. The WUGDataAccess.Credentials module appears to lack proper authorization mechanisms that would normally require valid user credentials or administrative privileges before exposing sensitive credential information. This missing authentication check creates an attack surface where any remote attacker can potentially retrieve stored Windows credentials, including usernames, passwords, and potentially other authentication tokens that may be used for lateral movement within network environments. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient authorization controls that directly enables information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to network infrastructure and systems that rely on the stored credentials for authentication. Organizations using WhatsUp Gold for network monitoring may find their credential library compromised, potentially exposing credentials for network devices, servers, applications, and user accounts that are managed through the monitoring platform. This vulnerability can facilitate further attacks including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and persistent access within compromised network environments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise security postures. The impact is amplified when considering that credential libraries often store credentials for multiple systems and services, creating a potential attack vector for widespread compromise.
Organizations should immediately update their WhatsUp Gold installations to version 2023.1.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as this release includes the necessary authentication controls to prevent unauthorized access to stored credentials. Additionally, security teams should conduct immediate inventory checks to identify any systems running vulnerable versions and implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected software. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credentials from password storage modules, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing security frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 or ISO 27001 compliance measures. Administrators should also review and rotate all credentials stored within the affected system to prevent exploitation of compromised credentials.