CVE-2012-2565 in Web Filtering
Summary
by MITRE
Bloxx Web Filtering before 5.0.14 does not use a salt during calculation of a password hash, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to determine cleartext passwords via a rainbow-table approach.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2565 affects Bloxx Web Filtering software versions prior to 5.0.14, presenting a critical security weakness in the password hashing implementation. This flaw resides in the cryptographic processing of user credentials, specifically in how the system handles password hashing algorithms. The absence of salt in the hashing process creates a fundamental weakness that significantly undermines the security posture of the affected system. According to the weakness classification in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-916, which addresses the use of a weak hash algorithm that is vulnerable to rainbow table attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when the web filtering system calculates password hashes without incorporating a unique salt value for each password. In cryptographic terms, salt serves as a random value that is combined with the password before hashing to ensure that identical passwords produce different hash outputs. Without this essential security mechanism, all passwords that share the same plaintext value will generate identical hash values, making the system particularly vulnerable to precomputed rainbow table attacks. Attackers can leverage massive databases of precomputed hash values to reverse-engineer cleartext passwords, significantly reducing the computational effort required to compromise user accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it affects the entire authentication framework of the Bloxx Web Filtering system. Context-dependent attackers who can access the password hash database or network traffic containing hashed passwords can efficiently perform offline attacks to recover plaintext credentials. This weakness particularly impacts organizations relying on the web filtering solution for network security, as compromised user accounts could provide unauthorized access to network resources, potentially enabling further lateral movement and privilege escalation within the affected environment. The vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access techniques, specifically targeting credential dumping and password cracking methods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of software updates to version 5.0.14 or later, which addresses the missing salt implementation in the password hashing process. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of existing password hashes to identify any compromised credentials and implement mandatory password resets for all affected user accounts. The remediation process should include reviewing and strengthening the overall password policy to ensure that all systems employ proper cryptographic practices, including the use of salted hashes with strong hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities that may have occurred during the period when the vulnerability was present, as the compromised credentials could have been used to gain unauthorized system access.