CVE-2007-6330 in Prolog Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Meridian Prolog Manager 2007, and 7.5 and earlier, sends all usernames and passwords to the client in a (1) cleartext or (2) weakly encrypted format to support client-side login authentication, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain database access by capturing credentials via a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6330 affects Meridian Prolog Manager versions 2007 and 7.5 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in the authentication mechanism that undermines the integrity of database access controls. This weakness stems from the application's design to transmit authentication credentials between client and server components using either cleartext transmission or weak encryption methods, creating an exploitable gap in the security architecture that directly compromises user authentication processes.
The technical implementation flaw involves the transmission of usernames and passwords in unencrypted or minimally encrypted formats during the client-side login authentication process, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in cwe-312 and cwe-316. This design decision exposes authentication data to interception during network transmission, as the system fails to implement proper cryptographic protection mechanisms for sensitive credential information. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to capture authentication tokens through passive network monitoring techniques, effectively undermining the security of the entire authentication framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for remote adversaries seeking unauthorized database access, as it eliminates the need for complex exploitation techniques that would otherwise be required to compromise authentication systems. The ease with which attackers can capture credentials through man-in-the-middle attacks means that even simple network sniffing tools can be leveraged to obtain valid authentication information, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly secured. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of database access controls, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or exfiltration.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several attack patterns documented in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly those related to credential access and initial access phases. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform credential dumping operations, establish persistent access to database systems, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security implementation practices that violate industry standards such as nist 800-53 and iso/iec 27001 requirements for secure authentication mechanisms and data protection during transmission. Organizations using affected versions of Meridian Prolog Manager face heightened risk of data breaches and unauthorized system access, making immediate remediation essential for maintaining security posture.
Recommended mitigations include implementing strong encryption protocols for all authentication data transmission, upgrading to supported versions of the software that address this vulnerability, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions to detect potential credential interception attempts and establish secure communication channels using tls 1.2 or higher protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other systems.