CVE-2008-5847 in Constructr
Summary
by MITRE
Constructr CMS 3.02.5 and earlier stores passwords in cleartext in a MySQL database, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading the hash column.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5847 affects Constructr CMS versions 3.02.5 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in password storage practices. This issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic measures when storing user credentials within its MySQL database infrastructure. The flaw specifically manifests in the password storage mechanism where passwords are maintained in plaintext format rather than being properly hashed or encrypted, creating an exploitable condition that significantly compromises user account security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the database schema design and application logic that handles user authentication data. When user credentials are processed through the CMS, the system stores the actual password values in a database column designated for password storage without applying any form of cryptographic hashing or encryption. This cleartext storage approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a direct attack vector for malicious actors who gain access to the database. The vulnerability is context-dependent because it requires an attacker to have database access privileges, typically through either direct database exploitation or application-level vulnerabilities that lead to database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any system utilizing the affected CMS version. An attacker who successfully gains database access can immediately retrieve all user passwords in their original form, enabling them to impersonate users, gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability directly violates security standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. The implications are particularly severe given that many CMS implementations store multiple user accounts with varying privilege levels, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally within the system once they have obtained initial access through compromised credentials.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically encompassing credential access techniques such as credential dumping and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this weakness as part of a broader exploitation strategy, potentially combining it with other vulnerabilities to achieve persistent access to the compromised system. Organizations using affected versions of Constructr CMS face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene in application development practices, as proper password storage should always involve cryptographic hashing with salt values to prevent such exposure even when database access is compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5847 require immediate action to upgrade to a supported version of Constructr CMS that implements proper password hashing mechanisms. Organizations should also implement database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, while conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify any other cleartext credential storage vulnerabilities within their infrastructure. The remediation process must include changing all affected passwords, implementing proper cryptographic practices for credential storage, and ensuring that database administrators follow security best practices for access control and monitoring. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against credential compromise scenarios, as the presence of cleartext passwords creates a single point of failure that can be exploited by attackers with database access privileges.