CVE-2017-7673 in OpenMeetings
Summary
by MITRE
Apache OpenMeetings 1.0.0 uses not very strong cryptographic storage, captcha is not used in registration and forget password dialogs and auth forms missing brute force protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7673 affects Apache OpenMeetings version 1.0.0, a comprehensive web conferencing solution that provides video conferencing, screen sharing, and collaboration features. This security weakness stems from inadequate cryptographic practices within the application's storage mechanisms, creating significant risks for user authentication and data protection. The flaw specifically manifests in the application's handling of sensitive information and user account management processes, making it susceptible to various attack vectors that could compromise system integrity and user privacy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of insufficiently strong cryptographic storage methods for sensitive data within the Apache OpenMeetings platform. This weakness allows attackers to potentially decrypt or access stored information using relatively simple brute force or cryptographic attacks. Additionally, the application fails to implement proper captcha mechanisms during critical user registration and password recovery processes, removing essential barriers that would normally prevent automated attack systems from exploiting these functions. The absence of brute force protection mechanisms on authentication forms creates another significant entry point for malicious actors attempting to gain unauthorized access through repeated login attempts or credential stuffing attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication failures, potentially enabling full system compromise through multiple attack vectors. Attackers could leverage the weak cryptographic storage to access user credentials, session tokens, and other sensitive data stored within the application's database. The lack of captcha protection during registration and password reset processes opens doors for automated account creation and password reset attacks, while the missing brute force protection allows for systematic attempts to guess valid user credentials. These combined weaknesses create a dangerous environment where attackers can systematically exploit the platform's security gaps to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially the entire system infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust cryptographic standards throughout the Apache OpenMeetings platform. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of the software that implement strong encryption algorithms for data storage and employ proper captcha mechanisms during all user registration and authentication processes. The implementation of comprehensive brute force protection measures including account lockout mechanisms, rate limiting, and IP address monitoring should be deployed to prevent systematic credential guessing attacks. Security configurations must be reviewed and updated to ensure that all authentication points utilize strong cryptographic practices as recommended by industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE-310 weakness category, which specifically addresses cryptographic issues in software implementations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under credential access and privilege escalation techniques, emphasizing the need for layered security controls that address both the cryptographic weaknesses and the authentication bypass opportunities they create.