CVE-2005-2762 in vpnremote
Summary
by MITRE
avaya vpnremote before 4.2.33 stores credentials in cleartext in process memory which allows attackers to obtain the vpn user s credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2762 represents a critical security flaw in Avaya VPN Remote software versions prior to 4.2.33. This issue stems from improper credential handling within the application's memory management processes, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on this remote access solution. The vulnerability specifically affects the storage mechanisms used by the VPN client software when managing user authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests as the application's failure to implement proper encryption or obfuscation techniques for sensitive authentication data while it remains in active memory. When users establish VPN connections through the affected software, their credentials are temporarily stored in process memory in plain text format rather than being secured through appropriate cryptographic methods. This cleartext storage creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors with sufficient access privileges can directly examine the memory space of the running VPN process to extract stored credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly compromises the security posture of organizations using affected Avaya VPN Remote versions. Attackers who can execute code on a system running the vulnerable software or who have access to the memory space through legitimate administrative tools can easily retrieve user authentication credentials. This access enables unauthorized network penetration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially nullifies the security benefits of the VPN connection by providing attackers with direct access to the very credentials used to establish that secure connection.
The flaw aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and represents a classic example of insecure credential handling practices that violate fundamental security principles. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1075, which covers the use of legitimate credentials for unauthorized access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects the core authentication functionality of the VPN solution, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to network resources without detection.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Avaya VPN Remote version 4.2.33 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the cleartext credential storage issue. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing memory scanning monitoring tools to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish network segmentation measures to limit the impact of credential compromise. Regular security assessments should include verification of credential storage practices within all VPN client implementations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the environment.