CVE-2001-1107 in Personal Video Station
Summary
by MITRE
SnapStream PVS 1.2a stores its passwords in plaintext in the file SSD.ini, which could allow a remote attacker to gain privileges on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1107 represents a critical security flaw in SnapStream PVS 1.2a software where authentication credentials are stored in an unencrypted format within the SSD.ini configuration file. This fundamental design flaw exposes the system to unauthorized access attempts and privilege escalation attacks. The plaintext storage of passwords violates core security principles and creates an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to compromise the entire system. The vulnerability specifically affects the configuration management aspect of the software, where user authentication details are persistently stored without any form of encryption or obfuscation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper credential storage practices. When users configure authentication parameters within the SnapStream PVS 1.2a environment, the system writes these credentials directly to the SSD.ini file without applying any cryptographic protection measures. This approach directly contravenes established security guidelines and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. The plaintext nature of the stored credentials means that any entity with access to the file system can immediately read and utilize these authentication details. The vulnerability creates an attack surface where remote adversaries can potentially access the system through various means including direct file system access, network-based attacks, or through compromised user accounts that have access to the configuration files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass full system compromise and privilege escalation capabilities. Once an attacker gains access to the SSD.ini file, they can obtain valid authentication credentials that may provide administrative access to the SnapStream PVS server. This access enables attackers to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, as network-based reconnaissance and exploitation techniques can be employed to locate and access the vulnerable configuration file. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where multiple systems may be running the affected software version.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) which specifically addresses the storage of sensitive data in an unencrypted format. The flaw also corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under Credential Access tactics, particularly the T1552.001 sub-technique for Unsecured Credentials. Organizations using SnapStream PVS 1.2a should implement immediate mitigation strategies including file system access controls, regular monitoring for unauthorized file modifications, and network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The remediation approach should involve upgrading to a patched version of the software that implements proper credential encryption mechanisms or manual configuration changes that obscure credential storage. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any other instances of plaintext credential storage within their infrastructure, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of issues that can affect various software applications and systems.