CVE-2025-3838 is an Improper Authorization vulnerability (CWE-863) identified in the End-of-Life (EOL) OVA based Connect component of Saviynt, a product used for installation purposes within customer internal networks. This component is deployed as a virtual appliance on Linux distributions including AlmaLinux 8.x, CentOS 7.x, and RHEL 8.x, specifically versions SC2.0-Client-2.0 and SC2.0-Client-3.0. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient authorization controls that allow an attacker, under certain conditions, to gain unauthorized access to the local database. This database contains installer credentials that are weakly hashed, indicating the use of broken or risky cryptographic algorithms (CWE-327). The weak hashing increases the risk that once accessed, these credentials could be cracked or reused by an attacker. Since this component is used internally during installation, the attack surface is limited to internal networks where the OVA appliance is deployed. The product was deprecated in September 2023 with support ending in January 2024, meaning no official patches or updates are available to remediate this vulnerability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability was published on April 21, 2025, and is classified as medium severity by the vendor. The lack of a patch and the presence of weakly hashed credentials in a local database pose a significant risk if an attacker gains network access to the appliance, potentially leading to credential compromise and unauthorized access to installation or configuration processes.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-3838 can be significant, particularly for those using Saviynt OVA based Connect appliances in their internal networks during installation or configuration phases. Unauthorized access to the local database containing weakly hashed installer credentials could allow attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. This could lead to compromise of identity and access management (IAM) configurations, potentially undermining the security posture of critical systems. Given that the component is EOL and no patches are available, organizations face prolonged exposure. The impact on confidentiality is high due to credential exposure; integrity could be compromised if attackers modify installation parameters or configurations; availability impact is moderate as the appliance is primarily used during installation but could disrupt deployment processes. European organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) could face compliance risks if unauthorized access leads to data breaches. Additionally, the use of weak cryptographic protections increases the likelihood that stolen credentials can be exploited effectively. The internal network deployment limits remote exploitation but insider threats or lateral movement from compromised hosts could trigger exploitation. Overall, the vulnerability poses a medium to high risk to organizations relying on this component for secure deployment and configuration of Saviynt solutions.

1. Immediate removal or isolation of the EOL OVA based Connect component from internal networks to prevent unauthorized access, especially if it is no longer actively used. 2. If continued use is necessary, restrict network access to the appliance strictly via network segmentation and firewall rules, allowing only trusted administrators to connect. 3. Implement strong monitoring and logging around the appliance to detect any unauthorized access attempts or anomalous behavior. 4. Replace the weakly hashed credentials stored locally by migrating to a more secure credential management system or reconfiguring the appliance to use stronger cryptographic algorithms if possible. 5. Conduct internal audits to identify any use of this deprecated component and plan for migration to supported Saviynt products or alternative solutions. 6. Educate internal teams about the risks of using deprecated software and enforce policies to avoid deployment of unsupported components. 7. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong access controls on systems that interact with the appliance to reduce the risk of lateral movement. 8. Regularly review and update internal network segmentation to limit exposure of sensitive installation components. 9. Engage with Saviynt or third-party vendors for guidance on secure migration paths and compensating controls. 10. Perform penetration testing focused on internal network appliances to identify potential exploitation paths related to this vulnerability.