CVE-2017-15272 in PSFTPd
Summary
by MITRE
The PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server stores its configuration inside PSFTPd.dat. This file is a Microsoft Access Database and can be extracted. The application sets the encrypt flag with the password "ITsILLEGAL"; however, this password is not required to extract the data. Cleartext is used for a user password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15272 resides within the PSFTPd 10.0.4 Build 729 server implementation, specifically concerning its configuration storage mechanism and cryptographic practices. This issue represents a critical weakness in the application's security architecture where sensitive configuration data is stored in an accessible Microsoft Access database file named PSFTPd.dat. The design flaw manifests in the application's handling of sensitive information, where the configuration file contains user credentials and other confidential data in cleartext format, despite the presence of an encryption flag that appears to be improperly implemented.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly enforce encryption mechanisms for sensitive data storage. While the PSFTPd application sets an encryption flag with the hardcoded password "ITsILLEGAL", this password is not actually required to extract or access the data within the database file. This creates a scenario where attackers can easily retrieve the Microsoft Access database file and obtain all stored information without needing to bypass any encryption mechanisms. The cleartext storage of user passwords represents a fundamental failure in secure credential handling practices, as passwords are stored in plain text rather than being properly hashed or encrypted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with complete access to the server's configuration parameters and user authentication details. This comprehensive access allows for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within networks, and potential full system compromise. The vulnerability directly violates security best practices outlined in industry standards such as CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues), where sensitive data should never be stored in cleartext form and encryption mechanisms should be properly implemented and enforced. The hardcoded password "ITsILLEGAL" further compounds the issue by creating a predictable and easily discoverable encryption key that provides no actual security benefit.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure of cleartext credentials and the flawed encryption implementation. Organizations should immediately implement proper credential storage mechanisms using strong hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 for password storage, ensuring that no passwords are stored in cleartext format. The application configuration should be updated to properly enforce encryption mechanisms rather than relying on weak or hardcoded passwords. Additionally, the Microsoft Access database file should be secured through proper file system permissions and access controls, with regular monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and represents a classic example of poor security implementation that can be exploited by adversaries at the initial access phase of the attack lifecycle. System administrators should also implement regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications and services within their environment, as this type of vulnerability commonly occurs in legacy systems that have not been properly updated or security reviewed.