CVE-2020-11560 in Express Invoice
Summary
by MITRE
NCH Express Invoice 7.25 allows local users to discover the cleartext password by reading the configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11560 affects NCH Express Invoice version 7.25 and represents a critical security flaw in how the application handles authentication credentials. This issue manifests as a clear text exposure vulnerability where local attackers can access sensitive password information directly from the application's configuration files. The flaw stems from improper credential storage practices that fail to implement adequate encryption or obfuscation mechanisms for sensitive data within the software's configuration hierarchy.
This vulnerability operates under the context of local privilege escalation and credential exposure, where an attacker with local system access can exploit the application's configuration file structure to retrieve passwords in plain text format. The technical implementation involves the application storing authentication credentials in unencrypted configuration files that are accessible to any user with local system privileges. This design flaw directly violates secure coding practices and configuration management standards that mandate protection of sensitive information through proper encryption mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems that rely on the Express Invoice application for business operations. Local users who can read the configuration files can extract database connection strings, API keys, and authentication tokens that may provide access to additional network resources. This creates a potential escalation path where initial local access can lead to broader system compromise and unauthorized data access.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a credential access technique where adversaries exploit weak configuration practices to obtain sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in application design where sensitive data is not properly protected through encryption or access controls.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper encryption for configuration files containing sensitive data, enforcing access controls on configuration directories, and conducting regular security audits of application configurations. Organizations should implement mandatory encryption for all sensitive data stored in configuration files, utilize secure key management practices, and establish regular monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files. Additionally, application developers should adopt secure coding practices that prevent cleartext storage of credentials and implement proper input validation and access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized data exposure.