CVE-2018-19466 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Portainer versions prior to 1.20.0 have a vulnerability where LDAP credentials, including the master password, are stored in plain text, allowing retrieval through API calls.

Understanding CVE-2018-19466

This CVE involves a security issue in Portainer versions before 1.20.0, impacting the storage of LDAP credentials.

What is CVE-2018-19466?

Portainer, prior to version 1.20.0, stores LDAP credentials, specifically the master password, in plain text, making it susceptible to unauthorized retrieval via API calls.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19466

The vulnerability in Portainer could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive LDAP credentials, potentially compromising the security of the system and the data it manages.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19466

Portainer's vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

Portainer versions before 1.20.0 store LDAP credentials, including the master password, in plain text, enabling attackers to extract this sensitive information through API calls.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Portainer
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: All versions before 1.20.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows threat actors to exploit the plain text storage of LDAP credentials in Portainer, facilitating unauthorized access through API calls.

Mitigation and Prevention

Actions to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2018-19466.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Portainer to version 1.20.0 or later to eliminate the vulnerability.
Avoid storing sensitive information in plain text within the application.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure password management practices, such as encryption and secure storage.
Regularly review and update security configurations to address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Portainer.