CVE-2018-15680 in XBTIT
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in BTITeam XBTIT 2.5.4. The hashed passwords stored in the xbtit_users table are stored as unsalted MD5 hashes, which makes it easier for context-dependent attackers to obtain cleartext values via a brute-force attack.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2020
The vulnerability identified in BTITeam XBTIT 2.5.4 represents a critical cryptographic weakness that fundamentally compromises user authentication security. This issue affects the password storage mechanism within the xbtit_users database table where user credentials are persisted using unsalted MD5 hashing algorithms. The absence of cryptographic salt in the hashing process creates a deterministic environment where identical passwords produce identical hash values, eliminating any randomness that would normally complicate attacker efforts. This flaw directly violates established security principles and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-328, which specifically addresses the use of weak hashing algorithms without proper salting mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of weak cryptographic implementations that expose systems to various attack vectors including rainbow table attacks and brute force methodologies.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to systematically attempt password recovery through computational means. Since MD5 hashes lack salting, attackers can leverage precomputed hash databases and dictionary attacks to quickly identify corresponding cleartext passwords. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because MD5 is considered cryptographically broken and unsuitable for security-sensitive applications due to its susceptibility to collision attacks and the availability of efficient brute force techniques. The context-dependent nature of this attack means that an attacker with database access can immediately begin attempting to reverse engineer user passwords without requiring additional reconnaissance or complex attack chains. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which covers credential access through the use of password crackers against stored credentials, and demonstrates how weak password storage directly enables lateral movement and privilege escalation within compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential compromise to encompass broader security implications for the entire system infrastructure. When user passwords are stored using unsalted MD5 hashes, organizations face increased risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to inadequate security controls. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until addressed through proper cryptographic implementation. Organizations utilizing this software version experience heightened exposure to credential stuffing attacks, where compromised credentials from one system can be used to gain access to other services. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene and inadequate implementation of fundamental security practices, potentially leading to additional security failures within the application ecosystem. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, access administrative functions, and potentially compromise the entire system. Remediation efforts must include immediate password reset procedures, implementation of proper cryptographic hashing with salt, and adherence to security standards such as NIST SP 800-63B for password storage requirements. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of cryptographic best practices and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and address such fundamental implementation flaws that can undermine entire security architectures.