CVE-2016-6602 in WebNMS Framework
Summary
by MITRE
ZOHO WebNMS Framework 5.2 and 5.2 SP1 use a weak obfuscation algorithm to store passwords, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain cleartext passwords by leveraging access to WEB-INF/conf/securitydbData.xml. NOTE: this issue can be combined with CVE-2016-6601 for a remote exploit.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6602 affects the ZOHO WebNMS Framework versions 5.2 and 5.2 SP1, representing a critical security weakness in password storage mechanisms. This flaw resides in the framework's approach to securing authentication credentials, where weak obfuscation techniques are employed instead of robust encryption methods. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with CVE-2016-6601, which enables remote exploitation capabilities, creating a complete attack vector that can be leveraged by context-dependent adversaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of inadequate obfuscation algorithms within the WEB-INF/conf/securitydbData.xml configuration file. This file contains password information that has been processed through weak obfuscation rather than proper encryption, making it susceptible to reverse engineering and cleartext recovery. The weakness specifically manifests in the framework's password handling architecture where encryption keys are either hardcoded, weakly generated, or employ algorithms that can be easily broken through standard cryptographic analysis techniques. This represents a direct violation of security best practices outlined in industry standards such as CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in software implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to sensitive system resources and potentially enables further lateral movement within affected networks. When combined with CVE-2016-6601, the threat landscape becomes significantly more dangerous as attackers can execute remote code execution against vulnerable systems. The context-dependent nature of the attack means that successful exploitation requires attackers to have access to the specific configuration file, but this access can be achieved through various attack vectors including local file inclusion vulnerabilities or compromised administrative accounts. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves phishing and credential access through compromised credentials.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through patching the affected ZOHO WebNMS Framework versions to address the weak obfuscation implementation. Organizations must implement proper encryption mechanisms for password storage, ensuring that any password data is protected using strong cryptographic algorithms such as AES-256 with properly managed keys. System administrators should also conduct thorough access controls reviews to limit access to sensitive configuration files like securitydbData.xml, implementing principle of least privilege and mandatory access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security standards such as NIST SP 800-63B for authentication and credential management, which specifically addresses the requirements for secure password storage and handling. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to critical configuration files, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack paths including web application exploitation and privilege escalation techniques.