CVE-2020-10554 in Psyprax
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2021
An issue was discovered in Psyprax beforee 3.2.2. Passwords used to encrypt the data are stored in the database in an obfuscated format, which can be easily reverted. For example, the password AAAAAAAA is stored in the database as MMMMMMMM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the Psyprax software ecosystem where sensitive authentication credentials are improperly handled during the data encryption process. The flaw exists in versions prior to 3.2.2 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in cryptographic implementation practices. The system employs a simplistic obfuscation technique rather than proper encryption methods to store passwords used for data encryption, creating a significant security risk that directly violates established cryptographic best practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability reveals a deterministic obfuscation algorithm that transforms plaintext passwords into predictable ciphertext representations. When the password "AAAAAAAA" is processed, it becomes "MMMMMMMM" in the database storage format, indicating a straightforward character substitution or mapping mechanism. This approach fails to provide any meaningful security protection since the transformation process is reversible and can be easily analyzed through pattern recognition. The obfuscation scheme lacks proper entropy and cryptographic strength, making it trivial for an attacker to reconstruct the original passwords through simple reverse engineering or lookup table methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the entire system. Attackers who gain access to the database can immediately retrieve all encryption passwords and subsequently decrypt all protected data without requiring additional computational resources or time-intensive cracking attempts. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper obfuscation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. The weakness creates a single point of failure where the entire encrypted dataset becomes accessible to any unauthorized party with database access.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" through database access. Organizations using affected versions of Psyprax face immediate risk of data breaches where all encrypted information becomes accessible, potentially exposing sensitive personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security engineering practices that could indicate additional weaknesses in the system's cryptographic implementation, suggesting that other security controls may also be inadequately designed. This type of flaw often indicates a lack of proper security testing and code review processes, potentially leaving other areas of the application vulnerable to similar issues.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to version 3.2.2 or later, which addresses the obfuscation weakness through proper encryption implementation. Organizations must also implement comprehensive password rotation procedures for all affected systems, ensuring that any compromised credentials are invalidated and replaced. Database access controls should be strengthened through principle of least privilege enforcement, limiting access to the database to only essential personnel. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security audits to identify other potential cryptographic weaknesses in their systems and implement proper key management practices that align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and protection.