CVE-2000-0625 in ZeroPort
Summary
by MITRE
NetZero 3.0 and earlier uses weak encryption for storing a user s login information, which allows a local user to decrypt the password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0625 represents a critical security flaw in NetZero 3.0 and earlier versions that directly impacts user authentication security. This issue stems from the implementation of weak encryption algorithms within the software's credential storage mechanism, creating an exploitable weakness that compromises user account integrity. The vulnerability specifically affects the local user environment where attackers can leverage the weak encryption methods to recover stored login credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access to network services and user accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of insufficiently strong cryptographic algorithms or improper encryption key management within the NetZero client software. When users enter their login credentials, the system stores this information using encryption that fails to meet modern security standards. The weak encryption approach typically involves either outdated algorithms, predictable key generation, or inadequate key length that allows local attackers to reverse-engineer or brute-force the stored credentials. This weakness falls under the broader category of weak cryptography and poor credential storage practices that have been consistently identified as security risks across numerous systems and applications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users of NetZero services, particularly in environments where local system access is possible. A local attacker who gains access to the system can easily extract stored passwords without requiring additional network-based exploitation or complex attack vectors. The implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as compromised login information can lead to unauthorized network access, potential data breaches, and further lateral movement within compromised networks. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations where NetZero clients are deployed, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to escalate privileges and gain persistent access to network resources.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling approaches, including CWE-326 which addresses weak encryption and CWE-521 which covers weak password requirements. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credentials from password storage, representing a common attack vector for credential compromise. The weakness demonstrates poor security implementation practices that violate fundamental principles of secure credential management and encryption. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader risk assessment, particularly in legacy systems where upgrading to modern secure authentication mechanisms may not be feasible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by NetZero or the vendor. System administrators should implement additional access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to credential storage locations. Where possible, organizations should migrate away from legacy NetZero implementations to more secure modern authentication solutions. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the impact of credential compromise, while regular security audits should verify that no weak encryption mechanisms remain in use. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing strong cryptographic standards and proper credential management practices in all software implementations.