CVE-2005-1166 in Dameware NT Utilities
Summary
by MITRE
The DNTUS26 process in Dameware NT Utilities and the DWRCS process in MiniRemote Control 4.9 and earlier stores the username and password in cleartext in memory, which could allow attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1166 represents a critical security flaw in Dameware NT Utilities and MiniRemote Control software versions 4.9 and earlier. This issue affects the DNTUS26 process in Dameware NT Utilities and the DWRCS process in MiniRemote Control, where authentication credentials are stored in an unencrypted format within system memory. The flaw stems from poor credential handling practices that violate fundamental security principles of credential protection and memory management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the processes storing user authentication information in plaintext format directly in memory without any form of encryption or obfuscation. When users authenticate to these remote administration tools, their credentials are loaded into memory and remain accessible in cleartext for the duration of the process execution. This memory-based storage creates a persistent attack surface where malicious actors can exploit various techniques to extract sensitive information from the running processes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing these remote administration tools. Attackers with local access to systems running these applications can leverage memory scraping techniques to extract stored credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to multiple systems within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for credential theft without requiring network-based attacks or complex exploitation methods, making it accessible to attackers with minimal privileges. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), both of which emphasize the importance of protecting authentication data in memory. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1003.001 (OS Credential Dumping) and T1550.001 (Use of stolen credentials), as it enables adversaries to obtain credentials through memory-based attacks. Organizations may also face compliance violations under standards such as pci dss, which requires protection of sensitive authentication data, and iso 27001, which mandates appropriate protection of information assets.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate software updates to versions that implement proper credential protection mechanisms, implementing memory protection techniques such as address space layout randomization, and deploying process monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized memory access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication and privileged access management solutions. The most effective long-term solution involves replacing the vulnerable software with modern alternatives that properly handle credential storage and implement industry-standard security practices for protecting sensitive information in memory.