CVE-2002-0487 in Xpede
Summary
by MITRE
Intellisol Xpede 4.1 stores passwords in plaintext in a Javascript "session timeout" re-authentication capability, which could allow local users with access to gain privileges of other Xpede users by reading the password from the source file, e.g. from the browser s cache.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0487 represents a critical security flaw in the Intellisol Xpede 4.1 software system that fundamentally undermines user authentication security through improper credential handling. This issue specifically affects the session timeout re-authentication mechanism, where the application stores user passwords in plaintext format within JavaScript code, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond the immediate application boundaries into the broader computing environment. The flaw demonstrates poor security engineering practices that violate fundamental principles of credential storage and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's JavaScript-based session management system where passwords are embedded directly into client-side code rather than being handled through secure server-side authentication mechanisms. When users access the Xpede system, their credentials are stored in plain text format within the JavaScript source files that manage session timeouts and re-authentication processes. This design choice creates multiple attack vectors since the plaintext passwords become accessible through various means including browser cache mechanisms, local file system access, and network traffic inspection. The vulnerability specifically exploits the weakness in how the system handles authentication state persistence, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive credential information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, as it enables privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire user bases within the Xpede environment. Local users who gain access to the system can leverage this weakness to impersonate other users by simply reading the plaintext passwords from the JavaScript source files, effectively bypassing all authentication mechanisms. This creates a scenario where a single compromised local account can potentially escalate to administrative privileges across multiple user accounts, undermining the entire security model of the application. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these passwords can be retrieved from browser cache storage, making the vulnerability accessible even to users who do not have direct file system access to the application's source code.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of insecure credential storage practices that aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials). The flaw also demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) as it provides attackers with direct access to authentication credentials through client-side storage mechanisms. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling, where sensitive information should never be stored in plaintext format, particularly within client-side code that may be accessible through multiple attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. The primary fix involves removing plaintext password storage from JavaScript source files and implementing proper server-side authentication mechanisms that do not require client-side credential persistence. Organizations should implement secure session management protocols that utilize encrypted tokens or temporary session identifiers rather than storing actual credentials. Additionally, comprehensive security reviews should be conducted to identify other instances of insecure credential handling throughout the application architecture, and proper input validation and access control mechanisms should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Regular security testing including source code analysis and penetration testing should be performed to detect similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system.