CVE-2024-9334

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2024-9334: E-Kent Pallium Vehicle Tracking - Hard-coded Credentials and Lack of Access Control

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • CVE ID: CVE-2024-9334
  • Component: E-Kent Pallium Vehicle Tracking
  • Vulnerability: Use of Hard-coded Credentials and Storage of Sensitive Data in a Mechanism without Access Control
  • Description: This vulnerability exists in E-Kent Pallium Vehicle Tracking versions prior to 17.10.2024. The application utilizes hard-coded credentials and stores sensitive data without proper access controls. This allows for potential authentication bypass.

2. Severity:

  • CVSS v3 Score: 8.2 (High)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.9/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
  • Impact:
    • Confidentiality: High - Sensitive data can be accessed.
    • Integrity: High - System data can be modified.
    • Availability: None directly impacted.
  • Rationale: The vulnerability allows for unauthorized access and modification of sensitive data due to the easily accessible and publicly available credentials.

3. Known Exploit:

  • Existence: While the description doesn’t explicitly state a publicly available exploit, the nature of the vulnerability (hard-coded credentials) makes it highly exploitable. If the hard-coded credentials are known (either through reverse engineering, default configuration, or previous leaks), an attacker could easily bypass authentication.
  • Exploitability: The ease of exploitation is high, especially if default credentials are used and not changed.
  • Real-world Scenarios: An attacker could use the hard-coded credentials to:
    • Access vehicle tracking data.
    • Potentially modify vehicle routes or configurations.
    • Exfiltrate sensitive information about vehicles, drivers, and related data.
    • Gain unauthorized access to other connected systems.

4. Remediation Strategy:

  • Immediate Action (Urgent):
    • Apply the Patch: The primary remediation is to upgrade E-Kent Pallium Vehicle Tracking to version 17.10.2024 or later. This is the most effective way to address the vulnerability.
  • Short-Term Mitigation (If Patching is Not Immediately Possible):
    • Identify and Change Hard-coded Credentials: If possible, identify and immediately change the hard-coded credentials. This is a temporary workaround but significantly raises the barrier for attackers. Note: This requires access to the application’s configuration and might require technical expertise.
    • Implement Strong Access Controls: Review and strengthen access controls to the sensitive data storage mechanism. Ensure that only authorized personnel have access. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
    • Network Segmentation: Segment the network to isolate the Pallium Vehicle Tracking system. This limits the potential damage if the system is compromised. Place it behind a firewall with strict access rules.
    • Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Implement monitoring for suspicious login attempts, unauthorized data access, and other anomalous behavior. Use an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) or Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system if available. Specifically, monitor for any authentication attempts using known default or hardcoded credentials.
  • Long-Term Security Practices:
    • Secure Development Lifecycle (SDLC): Implement a secure development lifecycle that includes:
      • Static Code Analysis: Scan code for hard-coded credentials and other vulnerabilities.
      • Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Test the running application for vulnerabilities, including authentication bypass.
      • Penetration Testing: Conduct regular penetration tests to identify and address security weaknesses.
    • Credential Management: Implement a robust credential management system that:
      • Eliminates Hard-coded Credentials: Avoid using hard-coded credentials in the application.
      • Uses Strong Encryption: Properly encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit.
      • Enforces Password Policies: Enforce strong password policies (complexity, length, rotation).
    • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of the system to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
    • Vendor Communication: Maintain open communication with the vendor (E-Kent) to stay informed about security updates and best practices.

5. Communication and Coordination:

  • Inform Stakeholders: Communicate the vulnerability and the remediation strategy to all relevant stakeholders, including IT staff, security personnel, and management.
  • Incident Response Plan: Ensure that an incident response plan is in place to address potential security breaches.
  • Document Everything: Document all remediation steps taken, including the date, time, and personnel involved.

6. Verification:

  • After patching or applying mitigations, verify the fix. This can be done by:
    • Attempting to exploit the vulnerability using the known hardcoded credentials.
    • Reviewing the application’s configuration to confirm that hardcoded credentials are no longer present.
    • Performing penetration testing to validate the fix.

Disclaimer: This remediation strategy is based on the provided vulnerability description. A thorough security assessment is recommended to identify all potential risks and implement appropriate security measures. The effectiveness of the mitigation steps depends on the specific environment and implementation.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-02-27 13:54:44
  • Updated Date: 2025-02-27 14:15:35

More Details

CVE-2024-9334