CVE-2010-4311 in Free Simple Software
Summary
by MITRE
Free Simple Software 1.0 stores passwords in cleartext, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4311 affects Free Simple Software version 1.0, a desktop application designed for password management and storage. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness in how the software handles sensitive authentication data, creating significant risks for users who rely on the application for credential storage. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic protection for stored passwords, leaving them exposed in plain text format within the software's data files or memory structures. Attackers with access to the system or the application's data storage locations can directly read these cleartext passwords without requiring additional exploitation techniques. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that successful exploitation requires specific conditions such as local system access or the ability to inspect the application's data files, but once these conditions are met, the attack vector becomes straightforward and highly effective. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles for credential management and represents a clear violation of security best practices established in industry standards.
The technical implementation flaw in Free Simple Software 1.0 manifests as a complete absence of password encryption or hashing mechanisms within the application's storage architecture. When users create or store passwords within the software, the system simply writes these credentials to disk or memory in their original format without any form of cryptographic protection. This design choice creates a persistent security risk where any individual with access to the application's data storage area can immediately retrieve all stored passwords. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of passwords, and represents a classic example of poor security implementation in applications handling authentication data. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk profile since it eliminates any barrier to credential theft that would normally be present in properly secured systems. The impact extends beyond individual password exposure to potentially enable broader security breaches, as stolen passwords can be used to access other systems where users may have reused credentials, creating cascading security failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate compromise of stored passwords, creating risks that can significantly affect organizational security postures and user privacy. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they gain immediate access to all passwords stored within the application, which may include credentials for email accounts, financial services, corporate systems, and various online services. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, financial accounts, and personal information, potentially resulting in identity theft, financial fraud, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also creates risks for organizations that may have deployed this software in enterprise environments, as it could provide attackers with access to multiple user credentials across different systems and services. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort, high-reward target that requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security awareness may be limited. The vulnerability's persistence means that even after the initial attack, stolen credentials remain accessible until the application is properly updated or replaced, creating ongoing risk for affected users and organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4311 must focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to address the fundamental flaw in the application's credential storage approach. Organizations should immediately cease using Free Simple Software 1.0 and migrate to properly secured password management solutions that implement industry-standard encryption and hashing mechanisms for stored credentials. The recommended approach involves implementing strong encryption algorithms such as AES-256 for password storage, combined with secure key management practices and proper hashing with salted iterations for password verification. Security practitioners should also implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms to reduce the impact of credential theft, even when cleartext passwords are compromised. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within their environments and ensure that all credential storage systems implement proper cryptographic protections. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security standards such as those defined in the NIST Password Requirements guidelines and the OWASP Secure Coding practices, which emphasize the necessity of protecting sensitive data through appropriate encryption and access control measures. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that proper security controls are maintained throughout the organization's technology infrastructure.