CVE-2017-3762 in Fingerprint Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Sensitive data stored by Lenovo Fingerprint Manager Pro, version 8.01.86 and earlier, including users' Windows logon credentials and fingerprint data, is encrypted using a weak algorithm, contains a hard-coded password, and is accessible to all users with local non-administrative access to the system in which it is installed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3762 represents a critical security flaw in Lenovo Fingerprint Manager Pro version 8.01.86 and earlier installations. This issue stems from the improper handling of sensitive user authentication data within the fingerprint management software, creating a significant exposure that affects Windows-based systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly impacts the fundamental security mechanisms that protect user authentication credentials and biometric data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of weak encryption algorithms combined with hard-coded passwords that are embedded within the software itself. This design flaw allows any local user with non-administrative privileges to access the encrypted sensitive data without requiring elevated permissions or authentication credentials. The combination of weak encryption and hard-coded credentials creates a scenario where attackers can easily bypass the intended security controls. This weakness directly maps to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues including the use of weak encryption algorithms and hard-coded cryptographic keys.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Local non-administrative users can exploit this weakness to extract Windows logon credentials and fingerprint data, effectively compromising the authentication mechanisms that the software is designed to protect. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can maintain access to systems without needing to perform additional exploitation steps. The vulnerability effectively undermines the security posture of systems where the software is installed, as it transforms legitimate authentication data into accessible information that can be used for unauthorized access.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several techniques described in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. The ability to access stored credentials without administrative privileges represents a significant bypass of system security controls and enables attackers to perform lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability also intersects with privilege escalation techniques since it allows non-privileged users to access data that should be protected by system-level access controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including the removal of vulnerable versions of Lenovo Fingerprint Manager Pro from affected systems, implementation of network segmentation to limit local access, and deployment of monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the dangers of hard-coding security credentials within applications. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms and regularly auditing installed software to identify and remediate similar security flaws. The incident highlights the critical need for security testing of third-party applications and the implementation of robust software supply chain security practices to prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced into production environments.