CVE-2023-5384 is a vulnerability identified in Red Hat Data Grid version 8.4.6, specifically within the Infinispan component responsible for caching. The flaw arises during the serialization process of cache configurations into XML, JSON, or YAML formats. When configurations include sensitive credentials—such as those for JDBC stores with connection pooling or remote stores—these credentials are output in cleartext within the serialized data. This exposure can lead to unauthorized disclosure of database usernames and passwords if an attacker gains access to the serialized configuration data. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, reflecting a high severity due to its network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requirement for privileges (PR:H), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although exploitation requires some level of privilege to trigger serialization, the cleartext exposure of credentials significantly increases the risk of lateral movement and privilege escalation within affected environments. No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for organizations relying on Red Hat Data Grid for caching sensitive data. The issue underscores the importance of secure handling of credentials in configuration management and serialization processes.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive credentials in cleartext can lead to severe consequences including unauthorized access to backend databases, data breaches, and potential disruption of critical services relying on Red Hat Data Grid. Confidentiality is directly impacted as attackers could retrieve database credentials, leading to data exfiltration or manipulation. Integrity and availability are also at risk since attackers with these credentials could alter data or disrupt caching services, affecting application performance and reliability. Sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and government agencies that use Red Hat Data Grid for high-performance caching and data storage are particularly vulnerable. The risk is amplified in multi-tenant or cloud environments where serialized configurations might be accessible to multiple users or services. Given the high CVSS score and the critical nature of the data potentially exposed, European organizations must prioritize remediation to prevent exploitation that could lead to significant operational and reputational damage.

Organizations should immediately review their use of Red Hat Data Grid 8.4.6 and related Infinispan configurations to identify any instances where cache configurations containing credentials are serialized. Until a vendor patch is available, restrict access to serialization functions to trusted administrators only and audit all accesses to configuration files. Implement encryption or secure vault solutions for storing credentials rather than embedding them directly in configuration files. Monitor logs for unusual access patterns to configuration serialization endpoints. Once Red Hat releases a patch or update addressing this vulnerability, apply it promptly in all affected environments. Additionally, consider network segmentation to limit exposure of cache management interfaces and enforce strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for privileged users. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on configuration management and credential handling to detect similar issues proactively.