CVE-2008-3775 in Folder Lock
Summary
by MITRE
Folder Lock 5.9.5 and earlier uses weak encryption (ROT-25) for the password, which allows local administrators to obtain sensitive information by reading and decrypting the QualityControl\_pack registry value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3775 affects Folder Lock versions 5.9.5 and earlier, presenting a significant security weakness in how the software handles password encryption. This flaw resides in the application's implementation of cryptographic protection mechanisms, specifically utilizing a weak encryption algorithm known as ROT-25 for password handling. The vulnerability represents a critical design flaw that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the software's protection model.
The technical implementation of this weakness manifests through the storage of password-related information within the Windows registry at the QualityControl_pack registry value. This registry entry contains sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access, yet the ROT-25 encryption algorithm proves insufficient to prevent determined attackers from decrypting the stored information. The ROT-25 cipher, while simple to implement, offers minimal cryptographic security and can be easily reversed through pattern recognition and frequency analysis techniques. This weakness directly violates established cryptographic best practices and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as local administrators who can access the registry are essentially granted unauthorized access to sensitive data that should remain protected. This creates a scenario where privileged users can bypass the intended security controls of the Folder Lock application, potentially exposing confidential files and data that the software was designed to protect. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that allows for the extraction of password information without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for Unsecured Credentials and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The attack surface is limited to local system access but represents a significant risk when combined with other potential attack vectors, as it allows for the establishment of persistent access to protected data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles and highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in security software.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to Folder Lock versions that implement stronger encryption algorithms, as the ROT-25 encryption method cannot be effectively strengthened through configuration changes alone. Organizations should implement comprehensive registry access controls to limit which users can read sensitive registry values, though this approach only provides partial protection given that local administrators typically have broad system access. The most effective solution involves upgrading to versions that utilize industry-standard encryption algorithms such as AES or other robust cryptographic methods that provide adequate protection against known attack vectors. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weak cryptographic implementations in other software applications.