CVE-2005-0346 in vpn client
Summary
by MITRE
safenet softremote vpn client stores the vpn password (pre-shared key) in cleartext in memory of the ireike.exe process which allows local users to gain sensitive information if they have access to that process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0346 represents a critical security flaw in the safenet softremote vpn client implementation that directly impacts the confidentiality of authentication credentials. This issue manifests through the insecure storage of pre-shared keys in cleartext format within the memory space of the ireike.exe process, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security principles of credential protection. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows operating system environment where the SoftRemote VPN client is installed and operational, making it particularly relevant to enterprise networks that rely on this particular VPN solution for remote access management.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2005-0346 stems from improper memory management practices within the VPN client software, where sensitive authentication information is not adequately protected during runtime operations. When the SoftRemote VPN client initializes and establishes connections, it stores the pre-shared key in plain text format within the process memory of ireike.exe without implementing any form of encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This design decision creates a persistent exposure point where any local user with sufficient privileges to access the process memory can extract the cleartext password through various memory inspection techniques. The vulnerability is classified as a direct violation of security principle 10 from the CWE taxonomy, which addresses the storage of sensitive information in memory without adequate protection measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with immediate access to network authentication credentials that can be leveraged for unauthorized network access and privilege escalation. Local users who gain access to the ireike.exe process can utilize memory dumping tools or debugging utilities to extract the stored pre-shared key, effectively compromising the entire VPN infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1003 category for credential dumping, specifically targeting the T1003.001 sub-technique related to OS credential dumping. The compromise of VPN credentials through this mechanism can lead to unauthorized access to corporate networks, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent access within the target environment.
Organizations utilizing the safenet SoftRemote VPN client must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including restricting local user access to the ireike.exe process through proper access control mechanisms and implementing memory protection techniques. The recommended approach involves configuring the Windows operating system to enforce strict process isolation and memory protection policies that prevent unauthorized memory access to critical processes. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing process monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also necessitates a comprehensive review of the VPN client installation and configuration practices, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the affected processes and that alternative authentication methods are considered to reduce reliance on pre-shared keys. This remediation strategy aligns with the security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 control families related to system and information integrity, specifically addressing the need for secure credential handling and memory protection mechanisms.