CVE-2018-9233 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Sophos Endpoint Protection 10.7 uses an unsalted SHA-1 hash for password storage in %PROGRAMDATA%\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\Config\machine.xml, which makes it easier for attackers to determine a cleartext password, and subsequently choose unsafe malware settings, via rainbow tables or other approaches.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9233 affects Sophos Endpoint Protection version 10.7 and represents a critical weakness in the software's password storage mechanism. This flaw resides within the configuration file located at %PROGRAMDATA%\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\Config\machine.xml where the system employs an unsalted SHA-1 hash function to store passwords. The absence of salt in the hashing process creates a fundamental security weakness that significantly undermines the protection of sensitive authentication credentials. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-328, which specifically addresses the use of weak hashing algorithms without proper salting mechanisms, making it particularly susceptible to various cryptographic attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's failure to implement proper cryptographic practices for password storage. SHA-1, while once considered acceptable for cryptographic purposes, has been widely deprecated due to its vulnerability to collision attacks and preimage attacks. When combined with the absence of salt, which is essential for preventing rainbow table attacks, the system becomes extremely vulnerable to automated password recovery techniques. Attackers can leverage precomputed tables of hash values to quickly reverse-engineer the original passwords, as the unsalted nature means identical passwords will produce identical hash values. This weakness directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves the exploitation of weaknesses in input validation and credential storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the Sophos Endpoint Protection environment. Once an attacker successfully recovers a password through rainbow table attacks or similar methods, they can gain unauthorized access to the malware protection settings and potentially manipulate security configurations. This access could enable attackers to disable security features, install malicious software, or modify the protection policies to allow specific malware to execute. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Sophos Endpoint Protection is used to manage and protect critical infrastructure, as compromised credentials could lead to widespread security breaches. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire endpoint protection framework, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls that are designed to protect against malware and other threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9233 should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of available patches from Sophos, which would address the underlying cryptographic implementation issues. Organizations should implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the configuration files and establishing network segmentation to limit access to sensitive system components. The implementation of proper password policies including the use of strong, unique passwords and regular password rotation can help reduce the risk associated with compromised credentials. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying automated tools to detect and alert on potential rainbow table attacks or other credential recovery attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following cryptographic best practices, including the use of salted hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2, which provide resistance against precomputed attacks and significantly increase the computational effort required for password recovery. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other system components and ensure that all cryptographic implementations adhere to current industry standards and recommendations.