CVE-2000-1173 in Cyberpatrol
Summary
by MITRE
Microsys CyberPatrol uses weak encryption (trivial encoding) for credit card numbers and uses no encryption for the remainder of the information during registration, which could allow attackers to sniff network traffic and obtain this sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-1173 represents a critical security flaw in Microsys CyberPatrol software that demonstrates poor cryptographic implementation and inadequate data protection measures. This weakness specifically affects the registration process where sensitive credit card information is transmitted over networks without proper encryption mechanisms. The system employs what is termed "trivial encoding" for credit card numbers, which fundamentally fails to provide meaningful security protection against network-based attacks. This trivial encoding approach essentially offers no real cryptographic strength and can be easily reversed or decoded by attackers who intercept network traffic.
The technical implementation flaw in CyberPatrol stems from the absence of proper encryption protocols during the registration phase, creating a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks and network sniffing operations. According to CWE-310, this vulnerability directly relates to cryptographic weaknesses in data protection mechanisms, specifically the use of inadequate encryption algorithms or the complete absence of encryption where it is required. The system's failure to implement standard encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS or other secure communication channels means that all transmitted data, including credit card information, becomes vulnerable to interception. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 which describes secure channel protocols being bypassed or weakened to enable data interception.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for financial fraud and identity theft. Attackers who successfully intercept network traffic can obtain complete credit card information along with other sensitive registration data, potentially enabling them to perform unauthorized transactions or sell the information on underground markets. The trivial encoding used for credit card numbers provides no protection against rainbow table attacks, brute force attempts, or simple packet analysis techniques that network security tools can employ to extract sensitive information. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using CyberPatrol for network security management, as it creates a security boundary that can be easily compromised, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to both the targeted network and the sensitive information stored within it.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of network monitoring tools to detect potential traffic interception attempts, the implementation of secure communication protocols for all registration processes, and the immediate discontinuation of using the vulnerable software until proper encryption mechanisms are implemented. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and data protection requirements. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation strategies to isolate sensitive data transmission channels and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual traffic patterns associated with credential harvesting attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive security audits of all network communication channels and the implementation of proper encryption standards that align with industry best practices for protecting sensitive financial information.