CVE-2017-7888 in ERP
Summary
by MITRE
Dolibarr ERP/CRM 4.0.4 stores passwords with the MD5 algorithm, which makes brute-force attacks easier.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7888 affects Dolibarr ERP/CRM version 4.0.4 and represents a critical security flaw related to password storage practices. This issue stems from the application's use of the MD5 hashing algorithm for password encryption, a practice that significantly weakens the security posture of the system. The MD5 algorithm, while once widely adopted, has been extensively criticized and deprecated for cryptographic purposes due to its inherent vulnerabilities and susceptibility to collision attacks. The implementation of MD5 for password storage creates a dangerous precedent within the application's security architecture, as it provides attackers with a relatively straightforward path to compromise user accounts through brute-force and dictionary attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's authentication mechanism where user passwords are processed through the MD5 hashing function before being stored in the database. This approach violates fundamental security principles and best practices established by industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms. The MD5 algorithm lacks the necessary computational complexity and resistance to reverse engineering that modern password storage systems require. Attackers can leverage precomputed rainbow tables, brute-force tools, and specialized hardware to rapidly crack MD5-hashed passwords, making the system particularly vulnerable to automated attack vectors. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially the entire system, as compromised credentials can be used to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual account compromise to encompass broader organizational risks. System administrators and security personnel face increased threat exposure as the compromised authentication mechanism undermines the integrity of the entire security framework. The vulnerability affects all user accounts within the Dolibarr ERP/CRM environment, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to business-critical information including financial records, customer data, and operational details. The ease with which MD5 hashes can be cracked means that even moderately complex passwords can be compromised within reasonable timeframes, making the system particularly vulnerable to credential stuffing attacks and other automated exploitation techniques. This weakness also impacts the system's compliance with various regulatory frameworks and security standards that require robust password storage mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7888 must prioritize immediate implementation of stronger cryptographic practices. Organizations should upgrade to Dolibarr versions that implement proper password hashing using algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, which provide the necessary computational complexity to resist brute-force attacks. The implementation of these stronger hashing algorithms aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, as they directly address the underlying vulnerability that enables such attacks. Security measures should also include immediate password resets for all affected user accounts, implementation of multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing account lockout mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts to further reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process must also include comprehensive staff training on secure password practices and the importance of using strong cryptographic implementations to maintain system integrity and protect against evolving threat landscapes.