CVE-2005-2866 in imradio
Summary
by MITRE
mercora imradio 4.0.0.0 stores usernames and passwords in plaintext in the mercoraclient\profiles registry key which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2866 represents a critical security flaw in mercora imradio version 4.0.0.0 that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper storage mechanisms. This issue resides within the Windows registry structure where the application persistently stores user authentication information in an unencrypted format, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises system security. The vulnerability specifically targets the mercoraclient\profiles registry key, which serves as the persistent storage location for user credentials and configuration data within the application's operational environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices, where plaintext storage of authentication tokens violates established security principles and best practices. The application's design choice to maintain usernames and passwords in clear text within the Windows registry creates a persistent attack surface that remains accessible to any local user with sufficient privileges to read the registry entries. This approach directly contravenes the principle of least privilege and fails to implement proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms that would normally protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. The registry key structure provides a predictable location where authentication information can be systematically retrieved without requiring elevated privileges beyond basic local access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local users to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to systems that rely on the affected application for communication or network connectivity. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise through lateral movement, privilege escalation, and potential access to additional network resources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to networked systems, particularly in environments where multiple users share the same machine or where the application operates with elevated privileges. The local access requirement for exploitation limits the scope of potential attacks but does not eliminate the significant risk posed by this flaw, especially in multi-user environments or shared computing scenarios.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data in Memory) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) classifications, representing a clear violation of security standards that mandate proper credential protection mechanisms. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1555.003 (Credentials from Password Stores) and T1078 (Valid Accounts), as it provides attackers with legitimate authentication credentials that can be used to maintain persistence within the target environment. The registry-based storage approach creates a predictable attack vector that can be systematically exploited through standard forensic techniques or automated credential harvesting tools, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where proper access controls are not implemented. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including registry permissions hardening, credential encryption, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2866 should focus on immediate registry access restrictions combined with long-term architectural improvements to credential storage mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict registry permissions that prevent unauthorized access to the mercoraclient\profiles key while ensuring that legitimate application functionality remains intact. The application should be updated to implement proper encryption for stored credentials or migrated to a more secure credential management system that does not rely on plaintext storage. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other applications that may store sensitive information in similar insecure configurations, implementing a systematic approach to credential protection across all system components. Regular monitoring and audit procedures should be established to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that security controls remain effective against evolving threats.