CVE-2008-3147 in WeFi
Summary
by MITRE
WeFi 3.2.1.4.1, when diagnostic mode is enabled, stores (1) WEP, (2) WPA, and (3) WPA2 access-point keys in (a) ClientWeFiLog.dat, (b) ClientWeFiLog.bak, and possibly (c) a certain .inf file under %PROGRAMFILES%\WeFi\Users\, and uses cleartext for the ClientWeFiLog files, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading these files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2018
This vulnerability exists in WeFi version 3.2.1.4.1 where diagnostic mode functionality creates a security risk through improper handling of wireless network credentials. The flaw occurs when diagnostic mode is enabled, causing the application to store sensitive wireless network keys in plaintext format within specific log files located in the program's user directory. The vulnerability affects three primary wireless security protocols including WEP, WPA, and WPA2 access-point keys, which are all stored in cleartext format in multiple files including ClientWeFiLog.dat, ClientWeFiLog.bak, and potentially a .inf file within the %PROGRAMFILES%\WeFi\Users\ directory structure. This represents a critical security flaw that violates fundamental principles of information security by exposing authentication credentials in an easily readable format without any form of encryption or access controls. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in data protection and information exposure, aligning with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials). From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for local users who can simply read the log files to obtain wireless network credentials, potentially enabling unauthorized network access, data interception, and lateral movement within network environments. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise as these credentials could provide access to corporate networks, home networks, or public Wi-Fi hotspots that users have connected to through the WeFi application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1552 (Credentials In Files) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers could leverage these credentials to establish persistent network access. The flaw demonstrates poor security design practices where sensitive information is stored without adequate protection mechanisms, making it a prime target for privilege escalation and credential theft attacks. The diagnostic mode functionality, intended for troubleshooting purposes, becomes a security risk when it inadvertently exposes network credentials through persistent storage of plaintext authentication information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper encryption or access control mechanisms for storing wireless network credentials. When diagnostic mode is enabled, the WeFi application creates persistent log files that contain sensitive network authentication data, including WEP keys, WPA keys, and WPA2 keys, all stored in cleartext format. This approach violates security best practices and industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security controls. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement any form of access control or encryption for the log files, making them accessible to any local user with file system access. The storage location in %PROGRAMFILES%\WeFi\Users\ directory structure indicates that these files are created in a user-accessible location where local adversaries can easily locate and read the contents. The presence of backup files (ClientWeFiLog.bak) further increases the attack surface as these files may persist even after the original log files are rotated or deleted. This flaw represents a failure in secure coding practices and demonstrates a lack of consideration for information security during application design and development phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass potential network compromise and data breach scenarios. Local users with access to the system can directly read the plaintext credentials stored in these log files, enabling them to gain unauthorized access to wireless networks that the user has previously connected to through the WeFi application. This could lead to unauthorized network access, data interception, and potential privilege escalation within network environments where these credentials might provide access to more sensitive systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple wireless security protocols, meaning that attackers can potentially access networks using different security mechanisms. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method of credential theft that requires no sophisticated tools or techniques beyond basic file system access. The vulnerability could be exploited in various attack scenarios including insider threats, where malicious employees or compromised accounts can leverage these credentials, or in broader network penetration testing where attackers seek to establish persistent access through stolen credentials. The persistence of these credentials in backup files increases the window of opportunity for exploitation and makes the vulnerability more difficult to remediate completely.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. The most immediate solution involves disabling diagnostic mode when not actively needed, as this functionality is the trigger for the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls on the WeFi installation directory and its subdirectories to prevent unauthorized local access to the log files. The application should be configured to either encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest, or to avoid storing credentials in plaintext format altogether. System administrators should implement regular monitoring for the presence of these log files and establish procedures for their secure deletion or encryption. Security policies should be updated to prohibit the storage of sensitive network credentials in cleartext format, aligning with standards such as NIST SP 800-125 for secure data handling practices. The application should be updated to a version that addresses this vulnerability, and organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring, endpoint detection and response solutions, and privilege access management to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may store sensitive information in plaintext formats, and security awareness training should be provided to users about the risks of storing credentials in easily accessible locations.