CVE-2005-2859 in web server
Summary
by MITRE
savant web server stores user credentials in plaintext in the savant\users registry key which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2017
The CVE-2005-2859 vulnerability affects the savant web server implementation where user authentication credentials are stored in an insecure manner within the Windows registry. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly undermines the integrity of the authentication system by persistently storing sensitive information in plaintext format. The vulnerability specifically targets the savant\users registry key location where credential data remains unencrypted and accessible to any local user with sufficient privileges to read the registry entries.
This technical flaw constitutes a direct violation of security best practices and represents a classic example of insecure credential storage as classified under CWE-312. The plaintext storage mechanism eliminates any form of cryptographic protection for user passwords and authentication tokens, making them immediately accessible to any local attacker who can execute registry read operations. The vulnerability exists at the application level where proper security controls fail to implement encryption or hashing mechanisms for sensitive data storage, creating an inherent weakness in the system's defense-in-depth strategy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables local users to obtain unauthorized access to systems protected by the savant web server authentication mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability affects all local users on the system regardless of their initial access level, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege separation is expected to maintain security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through registry key encryption and credential protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper credential storage practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST SP 800-63-3 digital identity guidelines and the OWASP authentication cheat sheet. The recommended approach involves encrypting the registry entries containing user credentials using strong encryption algorithms and implementing proper access controls to restrict registry read permissions. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar insecure storage practices across all applications and services within the environment, as this vulnerability type represents a common pattern that may exist in other software components.