CVE-2001-0549 in LiveUpdate
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec LiveUpdate 1.5 stores proxy passwords in cleartext in a registry key, which could allow local users to obtain the passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
This vulnerability resides in Symantec LiveUpdate version 1.5 where the software incorrectly handles proxy authentication credentials by storing them in cleartext within the Windows registry. The flaw represents a classic security misconfiguration that violates fundamental principles of credential management and access control. When users configure proxy settings for LiveUpdate, the application persists the password in an unencrypted format within the registry hive, making it accessible to any local user with sufficient privileges to read the specific registry key. This design decision creates a significant attack surface as local adversaries can easily extract these credentials without requiring specialized tools or advanced exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper secure coding practices and inadequate input validation within the application's configuration persistence mechanism. The registry key containing the cleartext password is typically located in the Windows registry hierarchy under the application's configuration namespace, where local users with basic read permissions can access the stored information. This issue directly maps to CWE-312, which categorizes cleartext storage of sensitive information, and represents a failure to implement proper credential protection mechanisms. The vulnerability does not require network access or remote exploitation capabilities, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited by any local user who has the ability to read registry values, which is often a baseline privilege level in many user environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as the compromised proxy passwords can provide attackers with persistent access to corporate networks through the same proxy infrastructure that legitimate users employ. This creates potential for lateral movement within network environments and can enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential reuse against other systems that trust the same proxy infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on proxy servers for internet access, particularly those with centralized security management where proxy credentials are used for multiple security applications. Attackers can leverage these stolen credentials to bypass network security controls, access restricted resources, or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against legitimate network traffic. The persistence of these credentials in the registry means they remain accessible even after system reboots, providing attackers with long-term access without requiring additional exploitation steps.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from Symantec, which would typically involve implementing proper encryption or obfuscation of stored credentials within the registry. Organizations should also implement registry access controls using windows permissions to restrict read access to sensitive registry keys, though this approach provides only partial protection as the underlying flaw remains in the application design. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of registry configurations for similar applications that may store sensitive information in cleartext, and implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to credential storage locations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers the exploitation of credentials stored in registry keys, emphasizing the need for comprehensive credential management strategies that prevent cleartext storage of sensitive information. Regular security assessments should include verification of credential storage mechanisms across all installed applications to prevent similar issues from persisting in the environment.