CVE-2001-0983 in Ultraedit
Summary
by MITRE
UltraEdit uses weak encryption to record FTP passwords in the uedit32.ini file, which allows local users who can read the file to decrypt the passwords and gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0983 represents a critical security flaw in the UltraEdit text editor software that affects how it handles FTP authentication credentials. This issue stems from the application's implementation of weak encryption mechanisms when storing FTP passwords within its configuration file named uedit32.ini. The flaw creates a significant privilege escalation vector by allowing local attackers with read access to the configuration file to decrypt and obtain sensitive authentication information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves UltraEdit employing insufficient cryptographic algorithms to protect FTP passwords stored in the uedit32.ini file. This weak encryption approach typically utilizes either no proper encryption at all or encryption methods that can be easily reversed through brute force attacks, pattern recognition, or by exploiting known vulnerabilities in the encryption implementation. The configuration file serves as a persistent storage mechanism for user preferences and credentials, making it a prime target for credential theft attacks. Attackers who gain local access to the system can simply read the uedit32.ini file and extract the encrypted passwords, which then can be decrypted using readily available tools or through manual reverse engineering of the weak encryption scheme.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to remote servers that the victim has previously connected to using UltraEdit. This creates a persistent threat vector where compromised credentials can be used to establish new connections, upload malicious files, modify server content, or even escalate privileges on the target systems. The vulnerability affects all local users who have read permissions to the uedit32.ini file, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where proper access controls are not enforced. Additionally, the impact is amplified when users frequently connect to multiple FTP servers, as the attacker can potentially gain access to numerous systems through a single compromised credential.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in software implementations, and demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices for credential storage. From an attack perspective, it maps to techniques in the ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation phases, specifically targeting the collection and exploitation of stored credentials. The flaw also reflects broader issues in software security where developers fail to implement proper encryption standards for sensitive data storage, often due to insufficient security knowledge or rushed development cycles. Organizations should consider implementing proper access controls for configuration files, regular security audits of third-party applications, and mandatory credential rotation practices to mitigate risks associated with such weak encryption implementations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including patching the affected UltraEdit version to implement proper encryption standards, enforcing strict file access controls on the uedit32.ini file through operating system permissions, and implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file access attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing centralized credential management solutions and multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security guidelines such as those provided by NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and the OWASP secure coding practices for credential storage. Regular security assessments of software applications for similar cryptographic weaknesses should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.