CVE-2005-1411 in icuii
Summary
by MITRE
cybration icuii 7.0 stores passwords in plaintext in the world-readable icuii.ini file which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1411 affects cybration icuii version 7.0 and represents a critical configuration flaw that exposes sensitive authentication data to unauthorized local users. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of credential storage mechanisms, where passwords are written in plaintext format to a configuration file that lacks proper access controls. The icuii.ini file, which contains these credentials, is configured with world-readable permissions, meaning any local user on the system can access its contents without authentication. This fundamental security oversight creates an immediate privilege escalation vector for attackers who gain local access to the system, as they can simply read the configuration file to obtain administrative credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices where authentication credentials are stored in an unencrypted format rather than using proper encryption mechanisms or secure credential storage solutions. The application's failure to implement appropriate file permissions and encryption protocols creates a direct pathway for credential compromise. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing any local user to access the system's administrative credentials, effectively providing them with elevated access rights. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as it enables attackers to perform administrative functions, modify system configurations, and potentially establish persistent access through the compromised credentials.
This vulnerability directly relates to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through file system credential dumping and privilege escalation via local account access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, as local users can simply execute standard file reading operations to obtain the plaintext passwords. The operational impact includes potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and the establishment of backdoor access points. Organizations running this software face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential lateral movement within their networks if attackers exploit this vulnerability. The configuration file's world-readable nature violates fundamental security principles and demonstrates a lack of proper security hardening practices.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through proper file permissions implementation, ensuring that configuration files containing credentials are restricted to appropriate user groups only. The application should be updated to version 7.1 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper credential encryption and access control mechanisms. System administrators should implement regular security audits to identify and correct similar configuration flaws across all applications. Additional protective measures include implementing mandatory access controls, monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential credential storage vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include educating development teams about secure coding practices and the importance of proper credential handling to prevent similar issues in future software implementations.