CVE-2007-4150 in Audit
Summary
by MITRE
The Visionsoft Audit on Demand Service (VSAOD) in Visionsoft Audit 12.4.0.0 uses weak cryptography (XOR) when (1) transmitting passwords, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network; and (2) storing passwords in the configuration file, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4150 affects the Visionsoft Audit on Demand Service (VSAOD) version 12.4.0.0, presenting significant security weaknesses in both network communication and local storage of authentication credentials. This vulnerability resides within the password handling mechanisms of the software, creating exploitable conditions that can lead to unauthorized access and credential compromise. The issue manifests in two distinct attack vectors that together create a comprehensive threat landscape for both remote and local adversaries seeking to obtain sensitive authentication information.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the implementation of weak cryptographic practices using simple XOR operations for password protection. When passwords are transmitted across the network, the system employs XOR encryption which provides minimal security protection against interception and analysis. This approach violates fundamental cryptographic security principles and creates a direct pathway for network sniffing attacks where attackers can capture and reverse-engineer the transmitted credentials. The XOR operation, while computationally simple, offers no meaningful protection against determined adversaries who can easily reconstruct the original passwords through basic cryptographic analysis techniques. This weakness directly maps to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, and specifically targets the improper use of XOR encryption for sensitive data protection.
The local storage vulnerability further compounds the security risk by storing passwords in configuration files using the same weak XOR encryption method. This creates an additional attack surface where local users with access to the system can directly read and extract password information from these files. The combination of network transmission and local storage weaknesses means that attackers can exploit either vector to obtain authentication credentials, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact of this vulnerability. The configuration file storage approach violates security best practices and creates a persistent threat that remains viable even after network-based attacks have been mitigated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive audit data. Remote attackers who successfully intercept network traffic can gain access to administrative credentials, allowing them to manipulate audit records, modify system configurations, or conduct unauthorized data access operations. Local attackers with file system access can directly extract passwords and use them to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to other system components. This dual attack surface creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the vulnerability can be exploited through multiple vectors without requiring sophisticated attack techniques or significant resources.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the network transmission and local storage components of the flaw. The most effective remediation involves implementing strong cryptographic algorithms such as AES-256 or SHA-256 hashing for password protection, replacing the weak XOR operations with industry-standard encryption methods. Network traffic should be protected through secure communication protocols like TLS 1.3 or higher, ensuring that passwords are encrypted during transmission rather than simply XORed. Local storage of passwords should be replaced with secure password hashing mechanisms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, which provide resistance against brute force and dictionary attacks. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and file permissions to limit local access to configuration files containing password information, aligning with the principle of least privilege and reducing the attack surface for local exploitation attempts. These mitigations directly address the underlying security weaknesses identified in the vulnerability and provide comprehensive protection against both remote and local credential theft scenarios.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in security-sensitive applications and highlights how seemingly simple security flaws can create substantial risks. It serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security testing, including cryptographic strength evaluation, and the importance of following established security standards and best practices. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar weak cryptographic implementations and ensure that all authentication credentials are properly protected through strong encryption and secure storage mechanisms. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how inadequate attention to cryptographic security can create persistent threats that remain exploitable across extended time periods, emphasizing the need for continuous security monitoring and remediation efforts.