CVE-2004-1549 in Activepost Standard
Summary
by MITRE
The conference menu in ActivePost Standard 3.1 sends passwords of password-protected rooms in cleartext, which could allow remote attackers to gain sensitive information by sniffing the network connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1549 affects ActivePost Standard 3.1 conference menu functionality where password-protected room credentials are transmitted in plaintext format. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the confidentiality of authentication data within network communications. The issue manifests when users attempt to access password-protected conference rooms through the standard menu interface, as the system fails to implement proper encryption for credential transmission. Network sniffing tools can easily capture these plaintext credentials, providing attackers with immediate access to protected conference sessions. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles governing the protection of sensitive information during network transmission and represents a clear failure in implementing secure communication protocols.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of encryption mechanisms within the ActivePost Standard 3.1 application when processing conference room access requests. When users enter passwords for protected rooms, the system transmits these credentials without any form of cryptographic protection, leaving them exposed to interception on the network. This vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission. The flaw exists at the application layer where authentication credentials are processed and transmitted, demonstrating a lack of secure communication implementation. Attackers with network access can utilize standard packet sniffing tools to capture these unencrypted credentials, which then provides them with unauthorized access to protected conference sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the system, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the overall security posture of conference systems utilizing ActivePost Standard 3.1. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive meetings, potentially leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on password-protected conference rooms for confidential communications, making it particularly dangerous in corporate, government, or healthcare environments where information security is paramount. Network administrators may inadvertently expose critical business information, as the vulnerability operates at the network level where traffic is not properly secured. This flaw can also facilitate further attacks within a network, as compromised conference credentials may provide access to additional systems or resources. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects the standard menu functionality, meaning that any user attempting to access protected rooms is potentially exposing sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1549 should focus on implementing proper encryption for all authentication data transmission within the ActivePost Standard 3.1 system. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a newer version of the software that addresses this vulnerability through the implementation of secure communication protocols such as TLS or SSL for credential transmission. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity that may indicate credential interception attempts. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of credential compromise. Security policies should be updated to mandate the use of encrypted communication channels for all sensitive data transmission, particularly for authentication credentials. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to add additional layers of security beyond simple password protection. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and credential dumping, emphasizing the need for proper encryption and network security controls. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other networked applications and systems.