Source: cve@mitre.org
Hummingbird Exceed 6.0.1.0 inadvertently includes a DLL that was meant for development and testing, which logs user names and passwords in cleartext in the test.log file.
Hummingbird Exceed 6.0.1.0 contains a critical vulnerability where user credentials are logged in plain text within a test log file. This allows attackers to easily steal user names and passwords, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. Immediate action is required to identify and mitigate this vulnerability to prevent unauthorized access and data exfiltration.
Step 1: Installation: The vulnerable version of Hummingbird Exceed 6.0.1.0 is installed on a target system.
Step 2: Authentication Attempt: A user attempts to authenticate to the Hummingbird Exceed application.
Step 3: Credential Logging: The debugging DLL, included in the installation, intercepts the authentication attempt and logs the username and password in plain text to the test.log file.
Step 4: File Access: An attacker gains access to the test.log file, either locally or remotely (if the file is accessible via network shares or web server), and retrieves the cleartext credentials.
Step 5: Credential Use: The attacker uses the stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems and resources.
The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of a debugging DLL (likely intended for internal development and testing) within the production release of Hummingbird Exceed 6.0.1.0. This DLL, when active, logs sensitive information, including usernames and passwords, to the test.log file in cleartext. The root cause is a lack of proper security review and removal of debugging code before the final release. The specific flaw lies in the function(s) within the DLL responsible for logging user authentication attempts. These functions were not designed with security in mind and inadvertently expose sensitive data. There is no complex exploitation needed; the vulnerability is a direct result of a configuration error.
This vulnerability is a prime target for opportunistic attackers and could be leveraged by various threat actors. It is not directly associated with any specific APT group, but the ease of exploitation makes it attractive to both skilled and unskilled attackers. This vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV database, but it should be considered a high-priority vulnerability due to its impact.
Monitor file system for the existence of test.log files, especially in the Hummingbird Exceed installation directory and its subdirectories.
Analyze the contents of test.log files for cleartext usernames and passwords or other sensitive information.
Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) to detect unauthorized modifications to the Hummingbird Exceed installation directory and related files.
Monitor network traffic for authentication attempts to Hummingbird Exceed, especially if the traffic is unencrypted (e.g., Telnet or older protocols).
Review system logs for any unusual activity related to Hummingbird Exceed, such as unauthorized access attempts or suspicious file access.
Use a SIEM to correlate events and identify potential exploitation attempts.
Upgrade to a patched version of Hummingbird Exceed that does not include the vulnerable DLL. (See Affected Products for specific versions).
If upgrading is not immediately possible, remove the debugging DLL (if possible and without breaking the application) or restrict access to the test.log file.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to mitigate the impact of compromised credentials.
Regularly review and audit system logs for suspicious activity.
Implement a robust vulnerability management program to identify and address security vulnerabilities proactively.
Conduct penetration testing to assess the effectiveness of security controls.