CVE-2005-2620 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
grpWise.exe for Novell GroupWise client 5.5 through 6.5.2 stores the password in plaintext in memory, which allows attackers to obtain the password using a debugger or another mechanism to read process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2620 represents a critical security flaw in Novell GroupWise client software versions 5.5 through 6.5.2 where the grpWise.exe executable stores user authentication credentials in plaintext format within the process memory space. This design decision fundamentally violates secure coding principles and creates an exploitable condition that directly exposes sensitive authentication information to malicious actors who gain access to the system. The vulnerability operates at the fundamental level of credential storage, where passwords are not encrypted or obfuscated in memory but rather maintained in a readily readable format that persists throughout the application's runtime.
This flaw constitutes a direct violation of multiple security best practices and standards including CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials). The technical implementation exposes the password in memory as plain text, meaning that any process with sufficient privileges or access to the target system can utilize standard debugging tools, memory dumping utilities, or specialized forensic software to extract the password directly from the running process memory space. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely deployed email client application that would typically run with elevated privileges and maintain persistent connections to corporate email servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security implications for enterprise environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to corporate email accounts, potentially leading to data exfiltration, email-based social engineering attacks, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector since the plaintext password remains accessible in memory for the duration of the application's execution, making it an attractive target for both local and remote attackers. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003.001 (OS Credential Dumping: LSASS Memory) and T1003.002 (OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager) in its exploitation methodology, as it provides a mechanism for extracting credentials from running processes.
The security implications of this vulnerability are exacerbated by the fact that GroupWise client applications typically operate with elevated privileges and maintain persistent network connections, creating extended windows of opportunity for attackers to exploit the memory exposure. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of credential compromise, especially in environments where physical access to systems is possible or where attackers have already achieved a foothold through other attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates poor application security design principles and highlights the importance of implementing proper credential handling mechanisms, including memory encryption, secure credential storage practices, and regular security assessments of third-party applications. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of memory protection mechanisms, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious process memory access patterns.