CVE-2005-3036 in file transfer anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
file transfer anywhere 3.01 stores sensitive password information in plaintext in the pass value in the "file transfer anywhere" registry key which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3036 represents a critical security flaw in the File Transfer Anywhere 3.01 software where sensitive authentication credentials are stored in an insecure manner within the Windows registry. This configuration exposes password information in plaintext format, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries who can access these credentials without requiring elevated privileges. The vulnerability resides in the registry key structure where the software maintains connection parameters including authentication details, making it susceptible to unauthorized access by any user with local system access. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of credential storage and access control, as it allows unauthorized users to extract authentication information that should remain protected from local system access.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the software's insecure handling of authentication credentials through the Windows registry storage mechanism. When File Transfer Anywhere 3.01 establishes connections, it persists authentication information in a registry key named "file transfer anywhere" where the password value is stored in plaintext format rather than being encrypted or obfuscated. This design choice creates a persistent security risk where any local user can access the registry key through standard Windows registry editing tools or programmatic access methods. The vulnerability operates at the system level where local users can leverage their existing privileges to read registry values without requiring additional authentication or privilege escalation techniques, making this particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when system administrators inadvertently grant local access to untrusted users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables local users to potentially escalate their privileges within the system or gain unauthorized access to network resources that the application connects to. Attackers can leverage the exposed passwords to perform unauthorized file transfers, access network shares, or establish connections to remote systems using the compromised credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where File Transfer Anywhere is installed with default configurations or where local users have administrative access to the system. The attack surface is broadened when considering that the software may be used in enterprise environments where local access is granted to multiple users, creating potential for privilege escalation attacks or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability can be exploited by any local user who has access to the system, making it particularly concerning for organizations with shared computing environments or those that do not properly restrict local system access.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312 (Sensitive Data in Memory) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) as it demonstrates poor credential handling practices where authentication information is stored in plaintext format without proper encryption or access controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1003 (OS Credential Dumping) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables adversaries to obtain valid credentials through legitimate software storage mechanisms rather than through more sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting local system access, removing or updating the vulnerable software, and ensuring that all credential information is stored using proper encryption mechanisms. The recommended remediation involves either patching the software to implement proper credential storage practices or implementing registry access controls that restrict unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of installed software to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be storing sensitive information in plaintext formats within system configuration storage areas.