CVE-2005-4145 in ListManager
Summary
by MITRE
The MSDE version of Lyris ListManager 5.0 through 8.9b configures the sa account in the database to use a password with a small search space ("lyris" and up to 5 digits, possibly from the process ID), which allows remote attackers to gain access via a brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4145 represents a critical authentication flaw in the MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) version of Lyris ListManager software across versions 5.0 through 8.9b. This issue stems from the insecure default configuration where the database administrator account named 'sa' is provisioned with a weak password that follows a predictable pattern. The password structure consists of the base string "lyris" followed by up to five digits, potentially derived from the process identifier or other predictable sources. This configuration creates an extremely limited password space that significantly reduces the complexity of brute force attacks against the database authentication system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the database configuration process where the Lyris ListManager software automatically sets up the MSDE database with predetermined credentials that lack sufficient entropy. The password generation algorithm uses a fixed prefix "lyris" combined with a small numeric range, typically resulting in fewer than 100,000 possible combinations. This weak password construction directly violates security best practices for credential management and aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, where the system allows the creation or use of passwords that are easily guessable or crackable through automated means. The predictable nature of the password makes it particularly susceptible to automated brute force attacks that can systematically test all possible combinations within a reasonable timeframe.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the database environment. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to gain full administrative access to the database, potentially enabling data exfiltration, modification of critical mailing list configurations, or even lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely deployed email list management system where database credentials are often not properly secured or monitored. From an adversarial perspective, this weakness maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Brute Force: Password Guessing, where attackers can systematically test password combinations against the database service without requiring additional reconnaissance or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The low computational effort required to crack these passwords means that even basic automated tools can achieve successful authentication within minutes or hours.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through password strengthening and configuration changes. Organizations must immediately change the default 'sa' account password to a strong, randomly generated credential that meets complexity requirements with minimum 12 characters including uppercase, lowercase, numeric, and special characters. The system should implement account lockout policies to prevent repeated authentication attempts and disable or rename the default administrative accounts where possible. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to database services, and proper monitoring should be established to detect unauthorized authentication attempts. Additionally, the affected Lyris ListManager installations should be updated to versions that properly configure database credentials without relying on predictable password patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper credential management and default configuration security, emphasizing the need for security-conscious software design that does not rely on weak default settings for database authentication mechanisms.