CVE-2005-1418 in notjustbrowsing
Summary
by MITRE
netleaf limited notjustbrowsing 1.0.3 stores the view lock password in plaintext in the notjustbrowsing.prf 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-2005-1418 affects the netleaf limited notjustbrowsing 1.0.3 software, presenting a critical security flaw in how the application handles authentication credentials. This issue stems from the software's improper storage of view lock passwords within the notjustbrowsing.prf configuration file, where sensitive authentication data is maintained in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted or hashed. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and directly violates established security principles for protecting sensitive user information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application configuration file level where the view lock password is persisted without any form of cryptographic protection. When users configure view lock protection within the notjustbrowsing application, the system stores this password in clear text within the notjustbrowsing.prf file, making it immediately accessible to any local user who can read the file. This design flaw creates an inherent privilege escalation vector since local users with access to the system can simply examine the configuration file to obtain the password and subsequently bypass the view lock protection mechanism. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) which specifically addresses the insecure storage of sensitive data in plaintext format.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the application's access control system. Local users who can read the notjustbrowsing.prf file gain unauthorized access to restricted content that was ostensibly protected by the view lock mechanism. This creates a scenario where the application's intended security controls become completely ineffective, allowing malicious users or compromised accounts to access sensitive information without proper authorization. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the system's security posture, as unauthorized access to protected content can lead to data leakage and potential further compromise of the affected system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges within the application's context, potentially gaining access to restricted functionality or information that should remain protected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through proper credential storage mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing secure password storage using strong cryptographic hashing algorithms with appropriate salt values, ensuring that passwords are never stored in plaintext format. System administrators should also implement file permission controls to restrict access to the notjustbrowsing.prf configuration file, limiting read access to only authorized users and processes. Additionally, the application should be updated to a version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original 1.0.3 release contains the insecure implementation that allows plaintext password storage. Organizations should consider implementing regular security audits to identify similar insecure credential storage patterns within their software ecosystem, as this vulnerability represents a common security oversight that can be addressed through proper secure coding practices and adherence to security frameworks such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically highlighting how insecure credential storage can be exploited to gain elevated system access.