CVE-2002-0345 in Norton Ghost
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Ghost 7.0 stores usernames and passwords in plaintext in the NGServer\params registry key, which could allow an attacker to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0345 represents a critical security flaw in Symantec Ghost 7.0, a widely used disk imaging and deployment software. This issue stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the software's registry storage mechanism, creating a persistent security weakness that directly impacts system integrity and access control. The vulnerability specifically affects the NGServer component of the software, which manages network operations and server configurations for ghost imaging processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the explicit storage of user authentication credentials in plaintext format within the Windows registry at the NGServer\params key location. This registry entry contains sensitive information including usernames and passwords that are necessary for network operations and server authentication. The plaintext storage approach violates fundamental security principles and creates an immediate attack vector for any malicious actor who gains access to the system. This practice directly aligns with CWE-312, which categorizes insecure storage of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of credential exposure in system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables unauthorized privilege escalation and potential system compromise. An attacker who can access the registry entries can immediately obtain valid authentication credentials for network services and administrative functions, potentially allowing them to perform unauthorized operations within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Symantec Ghost is deployed for large-scale system deployment and management, as it creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on credentials in registry keys, and T1078.004, covering additional cloud credentials.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard registry access methods, making it particularly dangerous in environments with insufficient access controls. The plaintext storage approach eliminates any form of cryptographic protection or obfuscation, leaving credentials completely exposed to any process or user with registry read access. Organizations using Symantec Ghost 7.0 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a design flaw rather than a temporary bug that can be patched, requiring complete software reconfiguration or replacement. System administrators should immediately audit registry entries and implement additional access controls around the affected registry keys to prevent unauthorized access to these stored credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0345 involve multiple layers of security controls including immediate registry access restrictions, credential rotation, and software upgrade considerations. Organizations should implement strict access controls limiting registry modifications to authorized personnel only, while also conducting thorough system audits to identify any potential credential exposure. The most effective long-term solution requires migrating to newer versions of Symantec Ghost that properly implement credential storage mechanisms or alternative deployment solutions that do not store sensitive information in plaintext formats. Security monitoring should include registry access logging and alerting for unauthorized modifications to critical registry keys, while regular vulnerability assessments should verify that no other applications are storing credentials in similar insecure formats. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper credential management and the dangers of plaintext storage in enterprise security architectures.