CVE-2005-0620 in einstein
Summary
by MITRE
einstein 1.0 stores credit card information in plaintext in the world-readable wallets.dat file which allows local users to steal the information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0620 represents a critical security flaw in the einstein 1.0 software implementation that directly violates fundamental principles of data protection and access control. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of sensitive financial information within the software's wallet management system, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized local access to credit card data. The issue stems from improper security controls that fail to implement adequate data sanitization and access restriction mechanisms, resulting in sensitive information being stored in an easily accessible format without proper encryption or access controls.
The technical flaw manifests in the software's failure to implement proper file permissions and data encryption protocols when storing financial information. The wallets.dat file is created with world-readable permissions, meaning any local user with access to the system can read the contents without authentication or authorization. This represents a classic violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a lack of proper access control implementation. The plaintext storage of credit card information directly contravenes industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog under weakness category CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor for local privilege escalation attacks where any user can extract financial data without requiring elevated privileges or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass significant financial and reputational risks for organizations utilizing the affected software. Local users can exploit this condition to steal credit card information, potentially leading to fraudulent transactions, identity theft, and financial losses. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level, making it difficult to detect through network-based monitoring systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct systematic data harvesting operations without leaving obvious traces in network logs, as the compromise occurs entirely within the local file system. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1005, which covers data from local systems, and T1074, which addresses data staging through local system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive access control measures. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper file permission controls to ensure that sensitive wallet files are only accessible to authorized users and processes. This includes setting restrictive file permissions that prevent world-read access and implementing proper encryption for sensitive data at rest. Organizations should also establish regular security audits to verify that sensitive information is not being stored in plaintext format and that proper access controls are maintained. The implementation of automated monitoring systems that can detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files provides an additional layer of defense. Furthermore, system administrators should implement regular security training to ensure that developers understand the importance of proper data handling practices and the security implications of storing sensitive information without appropriate protection mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect sensitive data through multiple control layers, including proper encryption, access controls, and monitoring systems to prevent unauthorized data access and maintain the confidentiality of financial information.