CVE-2008-1772 in SocialWare
Summary
by MITRE
iScripts SocialWare stores passwords in cleartext in a database, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1772 represents a critical security flaw in iScripts SocialWare software where user credentials are stored in plaintext format within the database system. This design decision fundamentally violates established security principles and creates an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication mechanism of the social networking platform, where passwords are not properly hashed or encrypted before being persisted in the backend database storage.
This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and improper security implementation within the application's data handling processes. The cleartext storage of passwords creates a direct pathway for attackers to extract user credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques such as cryptographic attacks or brute force methods. The vulnerability is context-dependent meaning that successful exploitation requires an attacker to have access to the database system itself, typically through a compromise of database credentials or application-level vulnerabilities that allow database access. This classification aligns with CWE-256, which addresses the storage of passwords in plaintext, and represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential identity theft, unauthorized account access, and broader system compromise. When attackers successfully extract cleartext passwords from the database, they can immediately use these credentials to access user accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized transactions, and further lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the underlying code is patched and the database is reconfigured to properly store hashed credentials. This risk is particularly severe in social networking environments where user data is often sensitive and interconnected, potentially allowing attackers to compromise multiple accounts through a single successful breach.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including database schema modifications to store password hashes using strong cryptographic algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. The implementation should follow established security frameworks and standards including NIST Special Publication 800-63 for digital identity management and the OWASP Top Ten security controls. Database administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized database access attempts. Additionally, the application should be updated to enforce password complexity requirements and implement account lockout mechanisms to mitigate the impact of credential compromise. The remediation process should include database re-hashing of existing passwords and proper credential management procedures to ensure that no cleartext passwords remain in the system. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and database security practices, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics and the NIST cybersecurity framework's configuration management controls.