CVE-2002-1739 in MDaemon
Summary
by MITRE
Alt-N Technologies Mdaemon 5.0 through 5.0.6 uses a weak encryption algorithm to store user passwords, which allows local users to crack passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1739 affects Alt-N Technologies Mdaemon email server versions 5.0 through 5.0.6, representing a critical security flaw in password storage mechanisms. This issue stems from the implementation of weak encryption algorithms for password protection, creating a significant attack surface that compromises user authentication security. The flaw exists within the core password management system of the Mdaemon email server, where user credentials are stored using insufficient cryptographic methods that can be easily reverse-engineered by malicious actors with local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of inadequate encryption algorithms that fail to provide proper cryptographic security for password storage. This weakness allows local attackers to access password files and employ brute force or dictionary attack techniques to crack the stored credentials. The weak encryption approach typically utilizes simple substitution ciphers or basic hashing mechanisms without proper salt values or iterative processing that would normally be required for secure password storage. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-326 which addresses the use of weak encryption algorithms and CWE-256 which covers the storage of passwords without proper security measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Mdaemon email servers, as local users with system access can easily compromise user accounts and gain unauthorized access to sensitive email communications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges for exploitation, as local access is sufficient to retrieve and crack password files. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of email systems, potentially allowing attackers to access confidential business communications, personal data, and other sensitive information stored within the email infrastructure. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potential lateral movement within networks and privilege escalation opportunities.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper password storage mechanisms that comply with modern security standards. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of Mdaemon software that implement strong encryption algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 with appropriate salt values and computational complexity. System administrators must also conduct thorough security audits to identify and remediate any existing weak password storage implementations. The remediation process should include rehashing all existing passwords using secure algorithms and implementing proper access controls to limit local system access. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following established security frameworks such as those outlined in the NIST Special Publication 800-63B for password management and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's emphasis on credential access techniques that exploit weak encryption implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls including multi-factor authentication and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their email infrastructure.