CVE-2000-1148 in VolanoChatPro
Summary
by MITRE
The installation of VolanoChatPro chat server sets world-readable permissions for its configuration file and stores the server administrator passwords in plaintext, which allows local users to gain privileges on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-1148 represents a critical security flaw in the VolanoChatPro chat server installation process that fundamentally compromises system integrity and access control. This issue stems from improper file permission management during software deployment, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized administrative access to the chat server. The vulnerability specifically affects the configuration file handling mechanism, where the installation routine fails to properly secure sensitive system files, leaving them accessible to all users on the system.
The technical flaw manifests through two interconnected security weaknesses that compound the overall risk to the system. First, the configuration file receives world-readable permissions during installation, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control. This misconfiguration allows any local user to read the file contents, potentially exposing sensitive system parameters and configuration settings. Second, the system stores administrator passwords in plaintext format rather than implementing proper cryptographic hashing or encryption mechanisms. This design decision directly violates security best practices and creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access to administrative accounts. The combination of these flaws creates a particularly dangerous scenario where local users can both discover sensitive configuration information and obtain valid administrative credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can gain full administrative control over the chat server, enabling them to modify or delete chat logs, alter user permissions, inject malicious content into chat sessions, and potentially use the compromised server as a launching point for attacks against other systems on the network. The plaintext storage of passwords particularly amplifies the risk since attackers can immediately use discovered credentials to access other services or systems where the same passwords might be reused. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of the chat server and exposes organizations to potential regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments where data protection regulations require proper handling of sensitive information.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE entries including CWE-732, which addresses improper permission assignment for critical resources, and CWE-312, which covers exposure of sensitive information through plaintext storage. The issue also maps to several ATT&CK techniques such as T1068, which involves local privilege escalation, and T1566, which encompasses social engineering tactics that can be amplified by the presence of accessible administrative credentials. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement proper file permission settings to restrict access to configuration files, migrate from plaintext password storage to secure cryptographic methods, and conduct comprehensive audits of all installed software for similar permission misconfigurations. The remediation process should include immediate permission fixes, password reset procedures for affected accounts, and implementation of automated monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files.