CVE-2005-3140 in passwd
Summary
by MITRE
Procom NetFORCE 800 4.02 M10 Build 20 and possibly other versions sends the NIS password map (passwd.nis) as a file attachment in diagnostic e-mail messages, which allows remote attackers to obtain the cleartext NIS password hashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3140 represents a critical security flaw in the Procom NetFORCE 800 4.02 M10 Build 20 firewall appliance and potentially other versions of the same product line. This issue stems from improper handling of diagnostic information within the network security device, specifically when generating and sending diagnostic e-mail reports. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in information security practices where sensitive authentication data is transmitted in an unencrypted format through email communications. The NIS password map file contains cleartext password hashes that are typically used for user authentication within NIS (Network Information Service) domains, making this exposure particularly dangerous for organizations relying on such authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability directly violates security principles related to data protection and access control, as it provides unauthorized parties with immediate access to authentication credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the diagnostic email functionality of the Procom NetFORCE device, where the system automatically includes the passwd.nis file as an attachment when generating diagnostic reports. This behavior indicates a lack of proper input validation and output sanitization within the device's email reporting module. The flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor security design practices where sensitive system files are not properly protected or filtered before being included in automated communications. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in information security where sensitive data is transmitted in cleartext format, making it susceptible to interception and unauthorized access. This aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-200 (Information Exposure) categories, which specifically address the improper handling of sensitive data in security contexts. The device's failure to implement proper access controls or encryption for diagnostic data represents a design flaw that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with immediate access to authentication information that can be used for lateral movement within networks. The cleartext NIS password hashes obtained through this vulnerability can be directly targeted using password cracking tools or used in credential stuffing attacks against other systems within the network infrastructure. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on NIS authentication services, as the exposure of these hashes can lead to complete compromise of user accounts and potentially the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not just individual user accounts but can provide attackers with access to privileged accounts within the NIS domain, potentially enabling them to escalate privileges and gain administrative control over network services. This represents a high-severity threat that can lead to persistent access and data exfiltration capabilities, as attackers can use the compromised credentials to maintain long-term presence within the network environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the diagnostic email functionality or configuring the device to not include sensitive files in automated reports. The recommended approach involves modifying the device configuration to either remove the passwd.nis file from diagnostic reports or encrypt the data before transmission. Security administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual email traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable devices within their network infrastructure that might exhibit similar behaviors. The mitigation strategies should align with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and follow the principle of least privilege, ensuring that only necessary information is transmitted through automated channels. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be performed to identify similar flaws in other network security devices, as this vulnerability demonstrates a pattern of inadequate security controls in network infrastructure equipment. Organizations should also consider implementing alternative diagnostic reporting mechanisms that do not rely on email transmission of sensitive system information.