CVE-2006-1198 in IM Lock
Summary
by MITRE
Comvigo IM Lock 2006 uses a simple substitution cipher to encrypt a password stored in the msnvs\prc registry value, for which all users have Read permission, which allows local users to bypass the product s blocking functionality by decrypting the password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1198 resides within Comvigo IM Lock 2006, a security application designed to monitor and control instant messaging communications. This software implements a basic encryption mechanism to protect sensitive configuration data, specifically storing a password within the Windows registry at the msnvs\prc path. The cryptographic implementation demonstrates a fundamental flaw in security design that undermines the intended protection of the system. The registry value in question is accessible to all users with read permissions, creating an inherent weakness in the security model that directly enables unauthorized access to the encrypted password.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of a simple substitution cipher, which represents one of the most basic forms of encryption available. This cipher operates by systematically replacing each character in the plaintext with another character, maintaining a consistent mapping throughout the encryption process. Such a method provides minimal cryptographic security and is vulnerable to multiple attack vectors including frequency analysis and pattern recognition. The substitution cipher approach lacks the complexity required to resist modern cryptanalytic techniques, making it trivial for an attacker to reverse-engineer the encryption mechanism. The vulnerability specifically affects the password protection functionality that the application intends to provide, as the encryption method is fundamentally insufficient to prevent unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it completely undermines the security posture of the Comvigo IM Lock 2006 application. Local users who can read the registry value can easily decrypt the password and subsequently bypass the application's blocking functionality, effectively neutralizing the security controls that the software was designed to enforce. This weakness creates a persistent backdoor that allows unauthorized individuals to circumvent the intended monitoring and control mechanisms, potentially enabling them to access restricted communications or disable security features entirely. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the application, rendering its primary security purpose ineffective and creating a false sense of security for users who rely on the system.
The weakness in this implementation aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and demonstrates poor adherence to established security practices. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers can leverage the readable registry value to obtain credentials and subsequently bypass application controls. The vulnerability also reflects the broader category of insecure configuration management, where the system fails to properly protect sensitive data even when it is stored in protected locations. Organizations using Comvigo IM Lock 2006 should immediately implement mitigations including registry permission adjustments, encryption upgrades, and potentially complete removal of the vulnerable application until a secure version can be deployed.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate registry access controls to prevent unauthorized reading of the msnvs\prc value, combined with a comprehensive review of the application's cryptographic implementation. The registry permissions should be modified to restrict access to only authorized administrative users, preventing local users from obtaining the encrypted password. Additionally, the application should be updated to implement strong encryption algorithms such as AES or RSA, rather than relying on simple substitution ciphers. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for unauthorized registry access attempts and establish proper security auditing procedures to detect similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and access control mechanisms in security applications, as even minor weaknesses can completely compromise the intended security functionality.