CVE-2004-0190 in Symantec
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec FireWall/VPN Appliance model 200 records a cleartext password for the password administration page, which may be cached on the administrator s local system or in a proxy, which allows attackers to steal the password and gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0190 represents a critical security flaw in Symantec FireWall/VPN Appliance model 200 that exposes administrative credentials through improper handling of sensitive authentication data. This weakness specifically affects the password administration page functionality where the appliance stores passwords in cleartext format rather than implementing proper cryptographic protection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental design flaw in how the system manages authentication credentials, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises administrative access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the appliance's failure to encrypt or obfuscate password data during storage and transmission processes. When administrators interact with the password administration page, the system records the credentials in plain text format, which can then be intercepted or retrieved from various system locations including local caches, browser history, or proxy server logs. This cleartext storage mechanism violates established security principles and creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer where sensitive authentication information is processed and stored, making it susceptible to various attack techniques including man-in-the-middle attacks, cache poisoning, and local system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass complete administrative compromise of the network security infrastructure. An attacker who successfully steals the administrative password gains unrestricted access to configure firewall rules, modify network policies, and potentially gain access to sensitive network resources. This privilege escalation capability allows for comprehensive network infiltration, data exfiltration, and the ability to establish persistent access points within the protected environment. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a backdoor into the core network security controls, rendering the entire appliance ineffective as a protective barrier. The risk is amplified by the fact that cached credentials may persist in multiple locations including browser caches, proxy servers, and local system storage, creating numerous opportunities for unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of comprehensive security measures including the deployment of network monitoring tools to detect unauthorized access attempts and the establishment of robust credential management policies. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the appliance, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities, and enforce strict access controls for administrative functions. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to patched versions of the appliance software, implementing proper encryption mechanisms for all stored credentials, and establishing secure authentication protocols that prevent cleartext storage. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a classic example of inadequate data protection practices that can be addressed through proper security architecture and implementation controls. The incident highlights the critical importance of following security standards such as those defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and demonstrates the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network infrastructure components.