CVE-2018-6618 in Easy Hosting Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Easy Hosting Control Panel (EHCP) v0.37.12.b allows attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging cleartext password storage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The Easy Hosting Control Panel EHCP version 0.37.12.b presents a critical security vulnerability that stems from its improper handling of password storage mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of cleartext credential storage, which represents a fundamental flaw in security design where sensitive authentication data is stored in an easily readable format rather than being properly encrypted or hashed. The issue manifests when the system stores user passwords in plain text within its database or configuration files, making them immediately accessible to any attacker who gains access to these storage locations. This weakness directly violates security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of credentials. The vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who possess minimal system access privileges.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs at the application level where authentication credentials are processed and stored without adequate cryptographic protection. When users create accounts or update their passwords within the EHCP interface, the system fails to apply proper hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2 to protect these sensitive values. Instead, the passwords are stored in their original form, allowing attackers to directly extract and utilize these credentials for unauthorized access to user accounts and system resources. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication mechanism of the control panel, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain administrative access to hosting environments. The cleartext storage approach represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a complete failure to implement proper credential management practices. According to ATT&CK framework domain T1566, this vulnerability aligns with credential access techniques where adversaries leverage weak or improperly stored credentials to maintain persistent access to systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6618 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of any system running the affected EHCP version. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability can immediately access all user accounts within the control panel, potentially gaining access to multiple hosting accounts, email accounts, and associated services that rely on the same credential storage mechanism. This creates a cascading security risk where a single compromised password can lead to unauthorized access across multiple domains and services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in shared hosting environments where multiple customers rely on the same control panel infrastructure, as it allows attackers to compromise not just their own accounts but potentially access other users' sensitive data, including website files, databases, and personal information. The impact is further amplified by the fact that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring advanced technical skills or significant privileges, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors from casual script kiddies to organized cybercriminals.
Organizations utilizing EHCP v0.37.12.b should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The most critical immediate action involves implementing proper password hashing mechanisms across all credential storage points within the application. This requires updating the application code to utilize industry-standard cryptographic libraries and algorithms for password protection, ensuring that all new and existing passwords are stored using strong hashing functions with appropriate salt values. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of existing credential storage to identify and remediate any instances of cleartext password storage that may have already been compromised. The implementation of multi-factor authentication should be considered as an additional security layer to protect against credential compromise even if the password storage vulnerability is not immediately patched. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential extraction activities, while regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the hosting infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of implementing proper security controls from the initial design phase rather than as an afterthought, as the cost of remediation increases exponentially when vulnerabilities are discovered post-deployment.