CVE-2017-16632 in SapphireIMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2021
In SapphireIMS 4097_1, the password in the database is stored in Base64 format.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16632 affects SapphireIMS version 4097_1 where passwords are stored in Base64 format within the database. This represents a critical security flaw that violates fundamental principles of password storage and cryptographic best practices. The implementation fails to properly hash or encrypt passwords, instead relying on simple encoding that provides no actual security protection against unauthorized access or password recovery attempts.
This vulnerability stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of how sensitive data should be handled in security systems. The use of Base64 encoding for password storage creates a situation where the original passwords can be easily reversed through simple decoding operations, making the system highly susceptible to credential compromise. The weakness lies in the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic measures such as salted hashing with strong algorithms like bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. This flaw directly corresponds to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper encoding, and CWE-259, which covers the use of hard-coded passwords or weak password storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers who gain access to the database to immediately obtain valid user credentials without requiring additional cracking or brute force attempts. The Base64 encoding provides no security barrier, meaning that any individual with database access can easily retrieve and utilize these passwords for unauthorized system access. This vulnerability enables privilege escalation attacks and provides a direct path to account takeover, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the underlying code is patched and users are required to reset their passwords.
Mitigation strategies must include immediate implementation of proper password hashing mechanisms using strong cryptographic algorithms with unique salts for each password. The system should be updated to employ industry-standard password storage practices that align with NIST SP 800-63B guidelines for digital identity management. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify all instances of weak password storage and ensure that all user credentials are properly hashed before database storage. Additionally, the affected system should implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized database access attempts, while users should be required to change their passwords immediately following the implementation of proper cryptographic measures. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to established security frameworks such as those defined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the credential access and defense evasion domains where weak password storage represents a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited by adversaries at multiple stages of the attack lifecycle.