CVE-2006-6145 in CRYPTO-Server
Summary
by MITRE
CRYPTOCard CRYPTO-Server before 6.4.56 stores LDAP credentials in plaintext in UninstallerData\installvariables.properties, which has insecure permissions and allows local users to obtain the credentials. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2019
This vulnerability resides in the CRYPTOCard CRYPTO-Server software version 6.4.55 and earlier, where sensitive authentication credentials are stored in an insecure configuration file named installvariables.properties within the UninstallerData directory. The flaw represents a classic case of insecure credential storage, where administrative LDAP credentials are persisted in plaintext format rather than being encrypted or obfuscated. This configuration exposes the system to unauthorized access when local users can read the file due to insufficient file permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in credential management and configuration file handling, creating a significant risk for environments where local access is possible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation and configuration process of the CRYPTO-Server software where administrative credentials are written to a properties file without proper security measures. The installvariables.properties file contains plaintext LDAP credentials that are accessible to any local user who can read the file due to insecure file permissions. This represents a violation of security principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate access control mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a credential exposure issue that falls under the broader category of insecure data storage, aligning with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-259 (CWE-259: Use of Hard-coded Credentials).
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows local attackers to obtain administrative credentials that can be used to access LDAP directories and potentially escalate privileges within the network. An attacker with local access to the system can simply read the properties file and extract the LDAP credentials, which could then be used to authenticate to the LDAP server and gain unauthorized access to directory services. This creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable software is installed, and the credentials can be used across multiple systems that rely on the same LDAP directory. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of defense in depth since it bypasses the normal authentication mechanisms and provides direct access to administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to version 6.4.56 or later where the issue has been addressed. Organizations should also implement proper file permission controls to restrict access to sensitive configuration files and ensure that credential information is encrypted at rest. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar insecure credential storage patterns within their environment and implement centralized credential management solutions. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that sensitive information is not stored in plaintext configuration files and that proper access controls are in place. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (T1552.001: Credentials in Files) and demonstrates the importance of proper credential handling practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-63B guidance for secure credential management.