CVE-2000-0605 in CourseInfo
Summary
by MITRE
Blackboard CourseInfo 4.0 stores the local and SQL administrator user names and passwords in cleartext in a registry key whose access control allows users to access the passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0605 represents a critical security flaw in Blackboard CourseInfo 4.0, a learning management system that was widely deployed in educational institutions during the late 1990s and early 2000s. This issue stems from poor security practices in credential storage, where sensitive authentication information is persisted in an insecure manner that directly violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows registry storage mechanism, where administrative credentials for both local system components and SQL database connections are maintained in plain text format. This represents a classic example of insecure data storage that exposes sensitive information to unauthorized users who might not even possess elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the Windows registry, which serves as a centralized database for system configuration settings. In Blackboard CourseInfo 4.0, registry keys containing administrative credentials are configured with insufficient access control lists that allow standard user accounts to read the stored information. This misconfiguration creates a privilege escalation vector where any user with access to the system can retrieve these cleartext passwords, effectively neutralizing any authentication security measures that might otherwise protect the system. The registry entries are typically configured with default permissions that grant read access to all users, which aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-255 (Credentials Management Errors). This flaw directly enables credential stuffing attacks and provides attackers with immediate access to both local system administrators and database administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of educational institutions using this software. Once an attacker gains access to these cleartext credentials, they can assume full administrative privileges over both the local system and the underlying SQL database, enabling them to modify course content, access student records, manipulate grades, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive educational data. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in academic environments where Blackboard systems often contain personally identifiable information, academic records, and confidential student data. The impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing for Information), as attackers can leverage these credentials to maintain persistent access and expand their operational capabilities. Organizations using this software would face significant compliance violations under data protection regulations such as FERPA, which governs student privacy in educational settings.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper credential storage mechanisms, including the use of encrypted storage for sensitive information and implementation of appropriate access controls. System administrators should modify registry permissions to restrict access to credential storage locations, ensuring that only authorized administrative accounts can access these sensitive entries. The software vendor should have implemented proper encryption for stored credentials, which would have prevented cleartext storage and eliminated this vulnerability entirely. Organizations should also implement regular security audits of registry configurations and credential storage mechanisms to prevent similar issues. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for secure credential management, and it serves as a historical example of why modern security frameworks emphasize the principle of least privilege and secure data handling practices. The incident highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and proper configuration management to prevent unauthorized access to system credentials and maintain the integrity of educational technology infrastructure.