CVE-2003-1390 in Cryptobuddy
Summary
by MITRE
RTS CryptoBuddy 1.2 and earlier stores bytes 53 through 55 of a 55-byte passphrase in plaintext, which makes it easier for local users to guess the passphrase.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1390 affects RTS CryptoBuddy version 1.2 and earlier, presenting a significant cryptographic weakness in passphrase storage mechanisms. This flaw represents a critical design oversight in the software's security implementation where the system fails to properly protect sensitive authentication data. The vulnerability specifically targets the passphrase handling process, where bytes 53 through 55 of a 55-byte passphrase are stored in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted or obfuscated. This design decision creates a substantial attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to protected systems. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper credential storage as defined by CWE-257, which specifically addresses the storage of credentials in a recoverable format. From an operational security perspective, this weakness directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST SP 800-63 standard for authentication management, where sensitive authentication information should be protected through appropriate cryptographic measures.
The technical implementation flaw in RTS CryptoBuddy stems from an inadequate approach to passphrase encryption and storage. When users create or input passphrases for the cryptographic system, the software maintains a portion of the passphrase in plain text format, specifically the final three bytes of the 55-byte sequence. This partial plaintext storage creates a predictable pattern that significantly reduces the entropy of the overall passphrase, making it substantially easier for local attackers to perform brute force or dictionary attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper cryptographic implementation where the system fails to apply consistent encryption mechanisms across all sensitive data elements. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and represents a failure to implement proper credential protection mechanisms. The flaw essentially provides attackers with partial information that can be used to significantly reduce the search space for determining the complete passphrase, thereby undermining the cryptographic security model that the application was designed to provide.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential guessing, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. Local users who can access the system where CryptoBuddy is installed can exploit this weakness to reconstruct complete passphrases by combining the plaintext bytes with educated guesses for the remaining portion. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share systems or where physical access controls are insufficient. The security implications are compounded by the fact that this is a local privilege escalation vector, meaning that even if the system has proper network security measures, local attackers can still exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability's impact is consistent with CWE-310, which addresses "Cryptographic Issues" and specifically covers cases where cryptographic implementations fail to provide adequate protection for sensitive data. Organizations using this software face increased risk of data breaches and unauthorized access incidents, particularly in environments where local system access is not properly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1390 require immediate attention through software updates and proper system hardening measures. The primary solution involves upgrading to a newer version of RTS CryptoBuddy that properly encrypts all passphrase components using strong cryptographic algorithms such as AES-256 or similar industry-standard encryption mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive access controls to limit local user privileges and ensure that only authorized personnel can access systems running vulnerable software versions. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify all instances of this software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-53, particularly controls related to access control and system configuration management. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address any successful attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that updated software versions properly implement cryptographic protections for all sensitive data elements, preventing similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations.