CVE-2014-0361 in 4690 Point Of Sale Operating System
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of IBM 4690 OS, as used in Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions 4690 POS and other products, hashes passwords with the ADXCRYPT algorithm, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified cryptanalysis of an ADXCSOUF.DAT file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0361 affects the default configuration of IBM 4690 OS when implemented in Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions 4690 Point of Sale systems and similar products. This security weakness stems from the use of the ADXCRYPT algorithm for password hashing, creating a significant exposure that adversaries can exploit through cryptanalysis techniques. The vulnerability specifically impacts the ADXCSOUF.DAT file which contains hashed password information, making it a prime target for unauthorized access attempts.
The technical flaw lies in the implementation of the ADXCRYPT algorithm which, while designed for password protection, proves insufficient against modern cryptanalytic approaches. This algorithm lacks the computational complexity and security properties required to withstand systematic analysis by adversaries with context-dependent knowledge. The vulnerability manifests when attackers can perform cryptanalysis on the ADXCSOUF.DAT file, potentially recovering original passwords or hash values that could be used to gain unauthorized access to the system. This weakness directly maps to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses and insufficient randomness in cryptographic algorithms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password compromise, as it creates a persistent security risk for point of sale systems that handle sensitive financial transactions and customer data. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, access restricted system functions, and compromise the integrity of transaction records. The context-dependent nature of the attack means that adversaries with access to the ADXCSOUF.DAT file can systematically work to reverse-engineer password hashes, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of the system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which covers exploitation of cryptosystems through cryptanalysis and reverse engineering.
Organizations implementing affected systems face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to critical commerce infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly impacts retail environments where point of sale systems process sensitive payment information and maintain transaction logs containing customer data. Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of stronger password hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, along with regular security assessments of cryptographic implementations. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of all password storage mechanisms and consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and network segmentation to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the dangers of relying on deprecated or insufficiently secure hashing algorithms in security-critical applications.