CVE-2008-3840 in Crafty Syntax Live Help
Summary
by MITRE
Crafty Syntax Live Help (CSLH) 2.14.6 and earlier stores passwords in cleartext in a MySQL database, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The Crafty Syntax Live Help (CSLH) vulnerability CVE-2008-3840 represents a critical security flaw in version 2.14.6 and earlier implementations of this live help support system. This vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of user credentials during the authentication process, specifically when storing password information within the MySQL database backend. The flaw exposes sensitive authentication data to unauthorized parties who can potentially access the database directly or exploit other related vulnerabilities to retrieve stored credentials.
This technical weakness constitutes a clear violation of security best practices and aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The vulnerability occurs because the system fails to implement proper password hashing or encryption mechanisms before storing user credentials in the database. Instead of storing cryptographically secure hashes of passwords, the application stores them in plaintext format, making them immediately accessible to anyone who can access the database. This design flaw represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture and demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by context-dependent attackers. Attackers who gain access to the MySQL database can immediately retrieve all user passwords in plaintext format without requiring additional cracking or reverse engineering efforts. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the entire user base of the application, potentially compromising multiple accounts simultaneously. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that many users may reuse passwords across different systems, creating a cascading security failure that could extend beyond the immediate application boundaries.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this weakness as part of a broader attack chain, using the stolen credentials to gain deeper access to network resources, escalate privileges within the application, or perform lateral movement attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential harvesting through various means including database access. Organizations using CSLH versions prior to 2.14.7 face significant exposure to unauthorized access and potential data breaches, making this vulnerability a high-priority remediation target.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate and long-term security concerns. The most critical remediation involves upgrading to CSLH version 2.14.7 or later, which implements proper password hashing mechanisms. Organizations should also implement database access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the database containing sensitive information. Additional measures include regular security audits of database configurations, implementation of database activity monitoring, and establishment of proper access logging for credential-related activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing proper authentication mechanisms from the initial design phase of software development, as outlined in secure software development lifecycle frameworks.