CVE-2018-11749

When users are configured to use startTLS with RBAC LDAP, at login time, the user's credentials are sent via plaintext to the LDAP server

published August 24, 2018

CVSS
—
EPSS
1%
Percentile
54.7
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ User credentials sent in plaintext? That’s exactly what can happen with startTLS and RBAC LDAP configurations in Puppet Enterprise! Think of it like sending a postcard instead of a sealed letter — anyone along the delivery route can read the message. In this case, your login info is that unsealed postcard, and could be picked up by anyone with access to the network! An attacker could intercept those plaintext credentials during transmission, leading to unauthorized access to users' accounts. It's like handing over the keys to your house at a party — any uninvited guest could stroll right in and wreak havoc!

Put simply

Think of it like sending a postcard instead of a sealed letter — anyone along the delivery route can read the message. In this case, your login info is that unsealed postcard, and could be picked up by anyone with access to the network! The vulnerability arises when users are configured to use startTLS with RBAC LDAP, transmitting credentials in plaintext during login rather than securing them properly. This could expose sensitive information if intercepted by an attacker.

What to do

An attacker could intercept those plaintext credentials during transmission, leading to unauthorized access to users' accounts. It's like handing over the keys to your house at a party — any uninvited guest could stroll right in and wreak havoc! To remediate this, upgrade Puppet Enterprise to versions 2018.1.4, 2017.3.10, or 2016.4.15 immediately. Additionally, consider implementing stronger encryption methods to ensure credentials are securely transmitted. You've got this! By taking these simple steps, you can protect your users' credentials and fortify your system. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00758 · 54.7th percentile
Published
2018-08-24T13:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 24 AUG 13:00Z
    When users are configured to use startTLS with RBAC LDAP, at login time, the user's credentials are sent via plaintext to the LDAP server
    cvelistv5