CVE-2007-6340 in Supercrypt
Summary
by MITRE
Geert Moernaut LSrunasE 1.0 and Supercrypt 1.0 use the RC4 stream cipher without constructing a unique initialization vector (IV), which makes it easier for local users to obtain cleartext passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6340 represents a critical cryptographic flaw in authentication tools that has significant implications for system security. This issue affects LSrunasE 1.0 and Supercrypt 1.0 software applications that are designed to handle user authentication and password management. The fundamental problem lies in the improper implementation of the RC4 encryption algorithm, which is a widely used stream cipher that has been extensively studied and documented in cryptographic literature. The vulnerability specifically stems from the failure to properly initialize the RC4 cipher with unique initialization vectors, creating predictable encryption patterns that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests when these applications process user credentials, particularly passwords, using the RC4 algorithm without generating unique initialization vectors for each encryption operation. This cryptographic weakness directly violates established security principles and is classified under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions. When the same IV is reused across multiple encryption operations, it creates deterministic encryption patterns that can be analyzed and reverse-engineered by attackers. The lack of proper IV construction means that identical plaintext passwords will produce identical ciphertext outputs, making the system vulnerable to pattern analysis attacks and dictionary attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for local users who may exploit the predictable encryption patterns to recover cleartext passwords from the encrypted data stored by these applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the authentication mechanisms of systems, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive resources. The impact extends beyond simple password recovery, as successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, lateral movement within networks, and unauthorized system access. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the security architecture of these authentication tools, where the cryptographic implementation fails to provide the essential confidentiality guarantees that users expect from security software.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper cryptographic practices including the generation of unique initialization vectors for each encryption operation. Security practitioners should ensure that any cryptographic implementation follows industry standards such as those specified in NIST SP 800-38A for block cipher modes and the broader principles outlined in the OWASP Cryptographic Storage Cheat Sheet. Organizations should also consider migrating away from the RC4 algorithm entirely, as it has been deprecated in many security contexts due to various cryptographic weaknesses including the vulnerability described here. The fix involves modifying the application code to generate cryptographically secure random IVs for each encryption operation, ensuring that even identical plaintext inputs produce different ciphertext outputs, thereby maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of user credentials.
This vulnerability also aligns with several tactics and techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to systems through password recovery techniques, potentially using the recovered cleartext passwords to move laterally within compromised networks. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how improper cryptographic implementation can create security weaknesses that directly impact the confidentiality of sensitive information, making it a critical concern for system administrators and security professionals responsible for protecting enterprise environments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar cryptographic flaws in other authentication and encryption tools within their infrastructure.