CVE-2004-1447 in Jetbox One CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Jetbox One 2.0.8 and possibly other versions stores passwords in the database in plaintext, which could allow attackers to gain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1447 represents a critical security flaw in Jetbox One 2.0.8 and potentially other versions of the software. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of authentication credentials within its database storage mechanism. The flaw manifests when the system stores user passwords in plaintext format rather than implementing proper cryptographic measures for password protection. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an exploitable condition that compromises the confidentiality of sensitive authentication data. The weakness exists at the data persistence layer where user credentials are written to the database without any form of encryption or hashing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's database schema and data handling procedures failing to incorporate standard password security practices. When users create accounts or update their credentials, the system stores these passwords in their original form rather than converting them into cryptographic hashes or encrypted formats. This design flaw allows any attacker with database access to directly read password values without requiring additional cracking or reverse engineering efforts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-256, which specifically addresses the storage of cleartext passwords, representing one of the most straightforward yet dangerous security misconfigurations in authentication systems. The plaintext storage approach completely eliminates the security benefits that cryptographic hashing would provide, making the entire credential storage mechanism vulnerable to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate exposure of individual passwords. Attackers who gain access to the database can immediately obtain a comprehensive list of user credentials, enabling them to perform account takeover attacks, conduct unauthorized access to systems, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. This weakness creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Jetbox One for their authentication infrastructure, as the compromised credentials can be used to access not only the application itself but also potentially other systems where users may have reused passwords. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the entire user base simultaneously, creating a massive attack surface that can be exploited for widespread unauthorized access. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-reward exploit that bypasses the need for complex password cracking or social engineering techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1447 require immediate implementation of cryptographic password storage mechanisms. Organizations must ensure that all password data is stored using strong hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 with appropriate salt values. The system should be configured to never store passwords in plaintext format under any circumstances. Database access controls must be implemented to restrict unauthorized access to the credential storage areas, and regular security audits should verify that no plaintext passwords exist within the system. Additionally, the application should be updated to a version that properly implements password hashing, and any existing plaintext passwords should be reset and re-hashed using secure methods. The remediation process must also include monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure password handling practices.