CVE-2009-4781 in Password Reminder
Summary
by MITRE
TUKEVA Password Reminder before 1.0.0.4 uses a hard-coded password for rem.accdb, which allows local users to discover credentials via a DBI connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-4781 affects TUKEVA Password Reminder software version 1.0.0.3 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through the use of hard-coded credentials within the application's database file. This flaw represents a classic example of insecure credential storage, where sensitive authentication information is embedded directly within the software rather than being dynamically generated or securely managed. The vulnerability specifically impacts the rem.accdb database file, which contains a hard-coded password that can be discovered by local users through database interface connections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from poor software development practices where developers embedded authentication credentials directly into the application code or configuration files during the development phase. This approach violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent attack vector that remains exploitable across different system states. The hard-coded password in rem.accdb serves as a static authentication mechanism that provides unauthorized access to the database without requiring additional authentication factors or user interaction. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when local users can establish database interface connections to the application, as this provides a direct pathway to extract the embedded credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for organizations using TUKEVA Password Reminder software, as local attackers can easily obtain database credentials and potentially escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the database. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain access to password reminders and potentially extract additional sensitive information that may be stored within the same database structure. The local access requirement does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability, as local attackers often have elevated privileges within the system and can cause significant damage once credentials are obtained.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications, and demonstrates how insecure credential management can lead to unauthorized access. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation categories, where adversaries seek to obtain credentials through various means including hard-coded values. The presence of a hard-coded password in a database file represents a failure in secure software development practices and violates industry standards for authentication management.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the TUKEVA Password Reminder software to version 1.0.0.4 or later, which presumably addresses the hard-coded credential issue. Organizations should implement proper credential management practices that avoid embedding authentication information within application files, instead utilizing secure configuration management systems or dynamic credential generation mechanisms. Database access controls should be implemented to restrict local access to sensitive files, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar hard-coded credentials within other applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized database access through embedded credentials.