CVE-2013-6805 in Exceed OnDemand
Summary
by MITRE
OpenText Exceed OnDemand (EoD) 8 uses weak encryption for passwords, which makes it easier for (1) remote attackers to discover credentials by sniffing the network or (2) local users to discover credentials by reading a .eod8 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2018
OpenText Exceed OnDemand version 8 suffers from a critical cryptographic weakness that fundamentally undermines the security of stored and transmitted credentials. This vulnerability resides in the application's implementation of password encryption mechanisms, where it employs insufficient cryptographic algorithms that can be readily compromised through standard attack methodologies. The weakness manifests in two distinct attack vectors that collectively expose sensitive authentication information to unauthorized parties. The first vector involves network-based attacks where remote adversaries can intercept and analyze network traffic to extract password information through packet sniffing techniques. This occurs because the application fails to implement robust encryption protocols during data transmission, leaving credentials vulnerable to eavesdropping on unencrypted or poorly encrypted communication channels. The second vector targets local system compromise scenarios where malicious users with access to the local filesystem can directly read credential information from .eod8 configuration files that contain the weakly encrypted passwords.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the application's use of inadequate encryption standards that do not meet contemporary security requirements. This weakness aligns with common CWE classifications related to cryptographic implementation errors and insufficient encryption strength. The vulnerability essentially creates a situation where attackers can bypass normal authentication mechanisms through either network-based or local file system exploitation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on Exceed OnDemand 8, as it allows unauthorized parties to gain access to sensitive systems and data without proper authorization. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable broader system compromise, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration activities that can cause significant business disruption and regulatory compliance violations.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a critical concern that requires immediate remediation through proper cryptographic implementation and configuration. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing strong encryption standards such as AES-256 for credential storage, enforcing secure network communication protocols including TLS 1.2 or higher, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar cryptographic weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and credential dumping from local files, making it a significant threat vector for adversaries seeking persistent access to target systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices that adhere to established security standards and best practices.