CVE-2006-6674 in HTTP-SMS Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Ozeki HTTP-SMS Gateway 1.0, and possibly earlier, stores usernames and passwords in plaintext in the HKLM\Software\Ozeki\SMSServer\CurrentVersion\Plugins\httpsmsgate registry key, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6674 affects the Ozeki HTTP-SMS Gateway version 1.0 and potentially earlier releases, representing a critical security flaw in how sensitive authentication credentials are stored within the Windows operating system registry. This issue stems from the application's insecure configuration practices where authentication parameters are persisted in plaintext format rather than being properly encrypted or obfuscated. The registry location HKLM\Software\Ozeki\SMSServer\CurrentVersion\Plugins\httpsmsgate serves as the repository for these credentials, making them accessible to any local user with sufficient privileges to read the registry keys. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles for credential storage and represents a classic example of improper data protection mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to employ proper encryption or hashing mechanisms for storing authentication credentials within the Windows registry. Local users who can access the system registry can directly read the plaintext credentials stored in the specified registry path, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the SMS gateway's authentication mechanisms. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor secure coding practices. The vulnerability falls under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Registry) which specifically addresses the exploitation of registry-based credential storage mechanisms. The flaw essentially creates an attack surface where any local user with registry read access can extract authentication information without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to SMS messaging services that may be used for critical communications or business operations. The compromised credentials could allow malicious actors to send unauthorized SMS messages, potentially leading to financial fraud, data exfiltration, or service disruption. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within the network, especially if the SMS gateway is integrated with other systems that rely on the same authentication credentials. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the SMS gateway handles sensitive communications or serves as a communication channel for critical infrastructure services. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to the unauthorized access to their communication systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching the affected software to properly encrypt credential storage or implement proper access controls to the registry keys. System administrators should implement registry permissions that restrict access to the specific registry path containing the credentials, ensuring that only authorized processes can read the sensitive information. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other applications that may store credentials in plaintext within the registry. The implementation of proper credential management practices, including the use of encrypted credential storage mechanisms and regular security audits, should be enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized registry access attempts and establish baseline configurations that prevent plaintext credential storage in the registry. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices and implementing proper access controls for sensitive system components.