CVE-2011-2076 in MediaCAST
Summary
by MITRE
MediaCAST 8 and earlier stores passwords in cleartext, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading an unspecified password data store, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-0216.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2076 affects MediaCAST versions 8 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in how the software handles authentication credentials. This issue stems from the application's improper storage of passwords in cleartext format within an unspecified password data store, creating a significant exposure that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw specifically addresses the insecure handling of authentication data rather than the broader authentication mechanism itself, distinguishing it from related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2010-0216 which may involve different attack vectors or system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic protection for stored credentials. When MediaCAST 8 or earlier versions process user authentication information, they store passwords in plain text rather than employing industry-standard encryption or hashing mechanisms. This cleartext storage approach means that any attacker with access to the password data store can directly read and utilize these credentials without requiring additional cryptographic cracking or reverse engineering efforts. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature indicates that successful exploitation requires specific conditions or access levels that may include local system access or administrative privileges to read the password storage files.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations using affected MediaCAST versions, as it directly enables credential theft and unauthorized system access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to obtain access to user accounts, potentially escalating privileges and gaining access to additional system resources or data. The exposure extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise entire system infrastructure if the affected application controls critical network services or database connections. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where MediaCAST is deployed for content delivery or media streaming services, as these systems often require persistent authentication and may store administrative credentials for automated processes.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in data protection practices where authentication information is stored without adequate cryptographic protection. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through the use of valid accounts and credential dumping, as attackers can directly extract passwords from the cleartext storage location. The attack surface is further extended through potential lateral movement opportunities once initial credentials are obtained, as these stolen credentials can be used to access additional systems or services within the network perimeter.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to MediaCAST versions that address this vulnerability through proper credential storage mechanisms. The recommended approach involves implementing cryptographic protection for stored credentials, including the use of strong hashing algorithms with salt for password storage, and ensuring that all authentication data is protected through appropriate encryption mechanisms. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of password storage locations and implement access controls to limit who can read sensitive data stores. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to credential storage locations and establish incident response procedures for credential compromise scenarios. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper credential management and the necessity of following established security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63 for authentication and credential handling practices.