CVE-2002-1910 in Ingenium Learning Management System
Summary
by MITRE
Click2Learn Ingenium Learning Management System 5.1 and 6.1 uses weak encryption for passwords (reversible algorithm), which allows attackers to obtain passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1910 affects the Click2Learn Ingenium Learning Management System versions 5.1 and 6.1, presenting a critical security flaw in the system's password handling mechanisms. This weakness stems from the implementation of reversible encryption algorithms for password storage rather than the industry-standard one-way hashing functions. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and represents a significant deviation from established security protocols that should protect user credentials. The use of reversible encryption creates a fundamental security risk where password hashes can be decrypted back to their original plaintext form, undermining the core principle of password security.
The technical flaw manifests in the system's approach to password storage where instead of employing strong hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, the Ingenium LMS implements encryption methods that can be reversed through brute force attacks or cryptographic analysis. This weakness directly maps to CWE-326, which addresses the use of weak encryption algorithms, and CWE-256, which covers the storage of passwords without proper protection. The vulnerability allows attackers with access to the system's password database or network traffic to recover plaintext passwords, potentially enabling unauthorized access to user accounts, administrative privileges, and sensitive learning management data. The reversible nature of the encryption means that even if attackers cannot directly crack the encryption, they can simply reverse the algorithm to obtain user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the entire security posture of the learning management system. Attackers can leverage these recovered passwords to gain unauthorized access to student records, course materials, administrative functions, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using the Ingenium LMS for educational purposes, where the compromise of user credentials can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive academic data, student privacy violations, and potential regulatory compliance issues under data protection laws. This weakness also creates opportunities for attackers to maintain persistent access through stolen administrative credentials, undermining the integrity of the entire learning platform.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including immediate password resets for all users, implementation of proper password hashing mechanisms, and deployment of additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication. The system should be updated to use industry-standard cryptographic practices including bcrypt or similar strong hashing algorithms with appropriate salt values. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts, while access controls should be reviewed and strengthened. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following security best practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various methods including password cracking and encryption weakness exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their learning management infrastructure.