CVE-2024-9432 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) affecting OpenText™ Vertica database platform versions 23.x, 24.x, and 25.x. The issue arises from the Vertica agent storing its API key in plaintext on the local system, which can be retrieved by an attacker with sufficient privileges. This vulnerability compromises the confidentiality of sensitive credentials embedded within the Vertica environment. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that exploitation requires local access (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no user interaction (UI:N), and high privileges (PR:H). The vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability directly but poses a risk of credential theft that could lead to unauthorized access or privilege escalation. The scope is limited to the local system where Vertica is installed, and no remote exploitation is indicated. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits exist in the wild, suggesting that the vulnerability is either newly disclosed or not yet weaponized. The vulnerability's impact is primarily on confidentiality, as the exposed API key could be used to access or manipulate Vertica services or data. Organizations relying on Vertica for large-scale data analytics or critical business intelligence should be aware of this risk and prepare to apply fixes when available. The vulnerability was reserved in October 2024 and published in January 2026, indicating a recent disclosure timeline.

For European organizations, the exposure of plaintext API keys in Vertica can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data analytics environments, potentially compromising business intelligence, customer data, and internal analytics processes. Given Vertica's use in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and large-scale data processing, the confidentiality breach could facilitate lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, or manipulation of analytics results. The requirement for high privileges and local access reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but increases risk from insider threats or attackers who have already gained foothold in the environment. The impact is particularly significant for organizations with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR, where unauthorized data access can lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, the vulnerability could undermine trust in data integrity indirectly if attackers use stolen credentials to alter analytics configurations or data ingestion pipelines. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

1. Restrict local access to Vertica servers strictly to trusted administrators and service accounts to minimize exposure to privileged users. 2. Implement file system encryption or use operating system-level protections to secure configuration files and stored credentials. 3. Monitor and audit access to Vertica agent files and API keys to detect unauthorized attempts to read sensitive data. 4. Employ role-based access control (RBAC) within Vertica and the underlying OS to limit privilege escalation opportunities. 5. Regularly review and rotate API keys and credentials to reduce the window of exposure if keys are compromised. 6. Stay informed about OpenText™ Vertica patches and apply updates promptly once a fix for this vulnerability is released. 7. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify suspicious local activities related to credential access. 8. Use network segmentation to isolate Vertica servers from less secure network zones, reducing the risk of lateral movement. 9. Educate administrators on the risks of storing sensitive information in cleartext and best practices for credential management.