CVE-2006-7037 in Mathcad
Summary
by MITRE
Mathcad 12 through 13.1 allows local users to bypass the security features by directly accessing or editing the XML representation of the worksheet with a text editor or other program, which allows attackers to (1) bypass password protection by replacing the password field with a hash of a known password, (2) modify timestamps to avoid detection of modifications, (3) remove locks by removing the "is-locked" attribute, and (4) view locked data, which is stored in plaintext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-7037 represents a critical weakness in the security architecture of Mathcad versions 12 through 13.1 that fundamentally undermines the software's protection mechanisms through direct manipulation of its underlying data format. This flaw operates at the file-level integrity verification system, where the application's security measures are not enforced at the application layer but rather depend on the integrity of XML-based worksheet representations that can be directly accessed and modified by local users. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper validation checks on the XML structure, allowing attackers to bypass the intended security controls by directly editing the plaintext representation of worksheet data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in access control enforcement where the software relies on the XML structure itself to maintain security properties rather than implementing robust application-level checks. When attackers directly modify the XML representation, they can replace password fields with hashes of known passwords, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms that should normally prevent unauthorized access to protected worksheets. This approach directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the application's security model where the data format becomes the security boundary rather than the application itself. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate timestamp metadata within the XML structure to avoid detection of unauthorized modifications, which represents a failure in audit trail integrity that could be classified under CWE-294 for authentication bypass through manipulation of authentication tokens.
The ability to remove the "is-locked" attribute from XML elements allows attackers to view and modify data that should remain protected, exposing sensitive information that was intended to be locked within the worksheet. This particular aspect of the vulnerability highlights a failure in data protection mechanisms that should be enforced at the application level rather than relying on the integrity of the file format itself. The storage of locked data in plaintext within the XML representation creates additional security concerns, as it means that even when data is marked as locked, the underlying information remains accessible to anyone with sufficient technical knowledge to manipulate the file structure. This represents a failure in information protection and data confidentiality principles that should be maintained regardless of access control mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access, as it allows for the complete subversion of the application's intended security posture through simple file manipulation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations that rely on Mathcad for sensitive engineering calculations and data analysis, as it allows local attackers to completely circumvent the security controls that should protect proprietary information and intellectual property. The vulnerability enables attackers to maintain persistent access to protected worksheets and potentially modify critical engineering data without detection, which could lead to serious operational consequences including compromised designs, financial losses, and potential safety issues in engineering applications. Organizations using affected versions of Mathcad should be particularly concerned about insider threats and unprivileged local users who may have access to modify worksheet files. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of defense in depth principles, as the application's security model fails to provide adequate protection when the file format itself becomes a vector for attack. This type of vulnerability would typically be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through modification of system files and T1566 for credential access through manipulation of authentication systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of vendor patches or updates to affected versions of Mathcad, as well as implementation of file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to worksheet files. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and user privilege management to limit local user access to sensitive worksheet files, while establishing clear policies regarding the handling and modification of protected data. The vulnerability underscores the need for robust application-level security controls that do not rely on file format integrity for protection, and emphasizes the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement at the application layer rather than depending on the security properties of underlying data representations. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications that may rely on file format integrity for security enforcement.