CVE-2005-2664 in whisper
Summary
by MITRE
whisper 32 1.16 and possibly earlier versions stores passwords in plaintext in memory which allows local users to obtain the password using a debugger or another mechanism to read process memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2664 represents a critical security flaw in whisper 32 1.16 and potentially earlier versions of the software. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of sensitive authentication data during runtime operations. The flaw manifests when the system stores user passwords in plaintext format within the process memory space, creating an exploitable condition that undermines fundamental security principles of credential protection. The vulnerability specifically affects local users who possess sufficient privileges to access or inspect the memory space of running processes, making it particularly concerning in multi-user environments where privilege escalation opportunities may exist.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-256, which addresses the storage of passwords in plaintext within memory structures. The software fails to implement proper memory sanitization techniques or encryption mechanisms when handling authentication credentials, allowing attackers to directly extract password information through memory inspection tools. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers assume that memory protection mechanisms will prevent unauthorized access or when they fail to consider the security implications of storing sensitive data in volatile memory locations. The vulnerability exists at the application level rather than at the system level, making it a software design flaw that requires code-level remediation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate their privileges within the system or gain unauthorized access to additional resources that rely on the compromised credentials. Local users who can execute memory inspection tools such as debuggers or memory dump utilities can directly read the plaintext passwords from the process memory space, effectively bypassing all authentication mechanisms that the application might otherwise provide. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system or where system administrators may be running applications with elevated privileges, as these conditions increase the attack surface and potential exploitation vectors. The consequences can be severe, including unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within networked environments where the compromised credentials might be used to access additional systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves modifying the application code to implement proper password handling techniques, including the use of memory encryption, secure string handling, and automatic memory sanitization upon credential usage completion. Organizations should implement memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to make memory inspection attacks more difficult. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized memory access attempts or unusual process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include regular security code reviews and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST guidelines for application security. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar credential storage vulnerabilities.