CVE-2001-1190 in Mandrake Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The default PAM files included with passwd in Mandrake Linux 8.1 do not support MD5 passwords, which could result in a lower level of password security than intended.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1190 represents a critical weakness in the authentication infrastructure of Mandrake Linux 8.1 systems. This issue specifically targets the Pluggable Authentication Modules framework which is fundamental to Unix-like operating systems for managing user authentication. The problem manifests when the default PAM configuration files that accompany the passwd utility fail to properly implement MD5 hashing for password storage, creating a significant security gap that undermines the intended protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the improper implementation of password hashing within the PAM modules that are distributed with Mandrake Linux 8.1. When users change their passwords through the standard passwd utility, the system should utilize MD5 hashing to securely store password credentials. However, the default configuration files contain inadequate or missing MD5 support, resulting in passwords being stored using weaker hashing algorithms or no proper hashing at all. This weakness directly violates established security practices and creates an environment where password credentials are more susceptible to brute force attacks and credential recovery techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication failures and represents a fundamental compromise to system security posture. Systems running affected versions of Mandrake Linux 8.1 become vulnerable to password cracking attempts that would otherwise be significantly more difficult to execute. Attackers can exploit this weakness to more easily compromise user accounts through dictionary attacks, rainbow table lookups, or other password recovery methods. The vulnerability essentially undermines the core security principle of password protection and creates a persistent risk that affects all users of the affected system. This weakness is particularly concerning as it operates at the foundational level of authentication, making it difficult to detect and remediate without comprehensive system reconfiguration.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies that include updating PAM configuration files to properly support MD5 hashing, verifying that all password changes are processed through secure hashing mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security audits of authentication systems. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that PAM modules are correctly configured to utilize strong cryptographic hashing algorithms as specified in industry standards. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security risks. The weakness aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication systems, and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in various compliance frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for credential access techniques. System administrators must ensure that authentication configurations are properly validated and that security controls are implemented according to established security guidelines to prevent exploitation of such fundamental weaknesses in authentication infrastructure.