CVE-2020-7516 in Easergy Builder
Summary
by MITRE
A CWE-316: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information in Memory vulnerability exists in Easergy Builder (Version 1.4.7.2 and older) which could allow an attacker access to login credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7516 represents a critical security flaw classified under CWE-316, which specifically addresses cleartext storage of sensitive information in memory. This vulnerability affects Easergy Builder software version 1.4.7.2 and earlier releases, creating a significant risk for systems that rely on this industrial automation tool for network management and configuration. The flaw manifests when the application stores authentication credentials in an unencrypted format within its memory space, making them readily accessible to malicious actors who can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the application's memory management processes. When users authenticate to the Easergy Builder interface, their login credentials are temporarily stored in memory without encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This cleartext storage approach violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface where adversaries can leverage memory inspection techniques to extract stored credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the memory level, meaning that even if the application itself is secure, the sensitive information remains exposed during the authentication process and subsequent operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges and gain persistent access to network infrastructure managed by Easergy Builder. Attackers can employ various techniques such as process memory dumping, direct memory access, or exploitation of other adjacent vulnerabilities to retrieve the cleartext credentials stored in memory. This access could potentially allow unauthorized individuals to manipulate network configurations, access restricted systems, or conduct further reconnaissance activities within the network environment. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems and network management platforms where Easergy Builder is deployed, potentially compromising critical infrastructure operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Easergy Builder version 1.4.7.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the cleartext storage issue. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing memory protection mechanisms, such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, to make exploitation more difficult. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities that might indicate credential theft attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003.001 which covers OS credential dumping, and represents a clear violation of security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for secure credential handling. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory-based vulnerabilities in other industrial control systems and network management tools.