CVE-2008-6193 in MyBlog
Summary
by MITRE
Sam Crew MyBlog stores passwords in cleartext in a MySQL database, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6193 resides within the Sam Crew MyBlog software platform, specifically addressing how it handles password storage within its database infrastructure. This represents a critical security flaw that directly violates fundamental principles of secure credential management and data protection. The system's failure to implement proper password hashing or encryption mechanisms results in passwords being stored in plain text format within the MySQL database, creating an exploitable weakness that can be leveraged by malicious actors with access to the database or system.
This technical flaw constitutes a direct violation of security best practices and industry standards, particularly those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak password storage, which is classified as CWE-256 and CWE-312 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The cleartext storage of passwords creates an immediate risk for credential compromise, as any individual with database access can directly read user credentials without requiring additional cryptographic attacks or brute force attempts. This weakness operates at the application level and demonstrates a fundamental lack of security awareness in the software development lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the system. Context-dependent attackers who can establish database connections or gain access to the database files can immediately retrieve all stored passwords, allowing for account takeover, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user authentication data, as outlined in the CIA triad principles, and creates opportunities for persistent threats to maintain access to compromised systems. This flaw also impacts the availability of services, as compromised credentials can be used to disrupt normal operations or conduct denial of service attacks through account lockout mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future deployments. The primary solution involves implementing proper password hashing using industry-standard algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, which should be applied during the password storage process. Database access controls must be strengthened through proper user privilege management, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to database credentials and that database connections are secured through encrypted channels. Additionally, the system should implement proper logging and monitoring to detect unauthorized database access attempts and credential theft activities. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their software infrastructure, aligning with the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on credential access and defense evasion techniques that exploit such weaknesses.