CVE-2007-6635 in FAQMasterFlexPlus
Summary
by MITRE
FAQMasterFlexPlus, possibly 1.5 or 1.52, stores the admin password in cleartext in a database, which might allow context-dependent attackers to obtain the password via unspecified database access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6635 affects FAQMasterFlexPlus version 1.5 or 1.52, representing a critical security flaw in how administrative credentials are managed within the application's database infrastructure. This issue stems from improper security practices where the system fails to implement adequate encryption or obfuscation mechanisms for storing administrative passwords. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database access might be compromised.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the application level where administrative authentication data is persisted in a database without proper cryptographic protection. When an attacker gains unauthorized access to the database through various means such as SQL injection, privilege escalation, or direct database compromise, they can directly retrieve the cleartext password without requiring additional cracking or reverse engineering efforts. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling, as the system assumes that database access will remain protected while failing to account for scenarios where such access might be obtained through legitimate or illegitimate means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the application environment. Once an attacker obtains the administrative password, they can perform any action available to administrators including modifying content, accessing sensitive data, altering system configurations, and potentially using the compromised account to pivot to other systems within the network. The context-dependent nature of this attack means that the risk is directly proportional to the security posture of the database infrastructure, including factors such as network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring capabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through various means including database compromises and credential dumping.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6635 should focus on immediate implementation of proper password hashing mechanisms using industry-standard algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 with appropriate salt values. Organizations should implement database access controls including role-based access control, network segmentation, and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized database access. The system should also incorporate logging and monitoring of database access attempts to detect potential compromise scenarios. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version that properly implements cryptographic storage of credentials, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness that has likely been addressed in subsequent releases. Security measures should also include regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify similar credential storage issues throughout the application stack and prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in other components of the system.