CVE-2026-121023 in AxxonNet
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File (CWE-532) in the ARP Agent component in AxxonSoft AxxonNet before 3.25.0 on Windows and Linux allows a local attacker with read access to ARP Agent log files or support packages to obtain the plaintext password of the LDAP directory service account via WARNING-level log entries that contain serialized user synchronization data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CWE-532, Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File, affects the AxxonSoft AxxonNet software prior to version 3.25.0 across Windows and Linux operating systems. This specific flaw resides within the ARP Agent component, which is responsible for handling address resolution protocol operations and associated user synchronization tasks. The core technical issue stems from improper logging practices where sensitive authentication credentials are inadvertently written to log files in plaintext format. Specifically, during the process of synchronizing users with an LDAP directory service, the application serializes user data that includes the password for the dedicated LDAP account used for these connections. Instead of masking or hashing this critical information before persistence, the system logs it as part of a WARNING-level entry intended to provide operational context regarding synchronization events.
From a technical perspective, this represents a classic failure in input sanitization and secure coding practices within the logging subsystem. The ARP Agent treats the LDAP password as standard data payload rather than sensitive security material requiring obfuscation. When the system encounters conditions that trigger warning logs, such as connection timeouts or configuration mismatches during synchronization cycles, it dumps the serialized object containing credentials into the log file. This behavior violates fundamental principles of secure software development which dictate that authentication secrets must never be persisted in clear text within application logs, regardless of their severity level or intended audience for those logs. The presence of these plaintext passwords in warning-level entries suggests a systemic oversight where all data fields are logged uniformly without filtering based on sensitivity classification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to the low barrier required for exploitation. A local attacker who possesses read access to the ARP Agent log files or support packages generated by the system can directly extract these credentials. In many enterprise environments, log file permissions may be configured broadly enough that service accounts, monitoring tools, or even standard users with limited privileges have read access to diagnostic logs. Once obtained, the plaintext LDAP password allows an attacker to authenticate against the directory service using legitimate administrative credentials. This compromises the confidentiality and integrity of the entire Active Directory or LDAP infrastructure managed by AxxonNet. An adversary could use these credentials to enumerate user accounts, modify group memberships, escalate privileges within the network, or pivot further into other systems that trust this domain controller.
This vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, as it enables an attacker to leverage legitimate system credentials for unauthorized access. It also relates to CWE-256, Unprotected Storage of Credentials, and CWE-359, Exposure of Private Information in Logs. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that log files are often archived or transmitted to centralized logging servers where they may be stored with less stringent access controls than application databases. Furthermore, support packages generated for troubleshooting purposes frequently include these logs, meaning sensitive data could potentially leave the local environment if sent to vendor support without proper redaction procedures in place.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution is to upgrade AxxonNet to version 3.25.0 or later where this logging flaw has been addressed by masking sensitive fields before they are written to disk. For systems that cannot be immediately upgraded, administrators should implement strict file system permissions on log directories to ensure only the specific service account running the ARP Agent can read them, thereby reducing the attack surface for local privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their logging configurations across all components of AxxonNet to identify any other instances where sensitive data might be exposed in logs. Implementing automated log sanitization tools that detect and redact patterns resembling passwords or API keys before storage can provide an additional layer of defense against similar vulnerabilities in third-party software. Regular audits of log content should also be conducted to ensure compliance with security policies regarding the handling of authentication secrets.