CVE-2005-0518 in exeem
Summary
by MITRE
exeem 0.21 stores sensitive information such as passwords in plaintext in the exeem registry key which allows local users to gain privileges via the proxy_user and proxy_password values.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0518 affects exeem version 0.21 and represents a critical security flaw in how the application handles authentication credentials. This issue resides within the Windows registry where the software stores proxy authentication details in an unencrypted format, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the proxy_user and proxy_password values that are persisted in the registry key, making them readily accessible to any local user with sufficient privileges to read the registry entries.
This flaw constitutes a direct violation of secure coding practices and represents a classic example of improper credential handling as classified under CWE-522. The technical implementation fails to apply appropriate encryption or obfuscation mechanisms to sensitive data, leaving authentication credentials exposed in plaintext format. The registry key structure used by exeem 0.21 provides no inherent protection for the stored credentials, allowing any local user to potentially extract these values through standard registry reading operations or by leveraging privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables local users to gain elevated privileges within the system. When combined with other exploitation techniques, attackers can leverage these stored credentials to establish persistent access or move laterally within the network environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credential access through registry modification, and represents a significant risk for systems where local user access cannot be fully trusted. The exposure of proxy credentials particularly threatens enterprise environments where proxy authentication is commonly used for network access control and monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0518 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates or patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing additional security controls. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all instances of exeem 0.21 within their environments and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The registry entries containing sensitive information should be secured through appropriate access controls and permissions, limiting read access to only authorized system processes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing credential monitoring solutions and regular security audits to detect unauthorized access to sensitive registry keys. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices in credential storage and highlights the need for proper input validation and secure data handling mechanisms as outlined in industry standards and frameworks.