CVE-2005-3856 in Krusader
Summary
by MITRE
The Popular URL capability (popularurls.cpp) in Krusader 1.60.0 and 1.70.0-beta1 saves passwords in cleartext in the krusaderrc file when the user enters URLs containing passwords in the panel URL field, which might allow attackers to access other sites.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3856 represents a critical security flaw in Krusader 1.60.0 and 1.70.0-beta1 that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper handling of URL data. This issue specifically affects the Popular URL functionality, which is designed to store and manage frequently accessed URLs within the application's configuration file. The flaw occurs when users enter URLs containing authentication credentials directly into the panel URL field, triggering the application to persistently store these credentials in cleartext format within the krusaderrc configuration file. This represents a fundamental failure in secure credential handling practices and demonstrates poor security design principles that have been addressed in modern security frameworks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input validation and credential sanitization mechanisms. When users navigate to URLs that contain embedded authentication information such as username:[email protected], the Krusader application processes these URLs without adequately stripping or encrypting the password components before storing them in the configuration file. The krusaderrc file serves as the persistent storage mechanism for user preferences and frequently accessed locations, making it an attractive target for attackers who can simply read this file to extract stored credentials. This behavior directly violates established security principles and creates a persistent exposure that remains active until manually cleared by the user or the application is uninstalled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors with access to the system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to multiple web services and applications that rely on the stored credentials, potentially leading to broader security compromises within the user's network environment. The cleartext storage of passwords means that even users who believe they have secured their sessions can unknowingly expose their credentials to unauthorized parties. This vulnerability particularly affects users who frequently access web-based services through Krusader's panel interface and who may not be aware of the security implications of their actions. The persistent nature of the stored credentials means that even after the initial session ends, the threat remains active, creating an ongoing risk that can be exploited at any time.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through application updates and user education. System administrators should ensure that all instances of Krusader are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions are no longer supported and likely contain additional security weaknesses. Users should be educated about the dangers of entering URLs with embedded credentials into the panel URL field and should be encouraged to use more secure authentication methods such as single sign-on systems or browser-based credential managers. The configuration file should be protected with appropriate file permissions to limit read access, and users should be advised to regularly audit their krusaderrc files for any unexpected credential storage. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling practices that are fundamental to modern cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should implement monitoring for unauthorized access to configuration files and establish procedures for regular credential rotation to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities.