CVE-2020-9404 in PACTware
Summary
by MITRE
In PACTware before 4.1 SP6 and 5.x before 5.0.5.31, passwords are stored in an insecure manner, and may be modified by an attacker with no knowledge of the current passwords.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9404 affects PACTware software versions prior to 4.1 SP6 and 5.x versions before 5.0.5.31, representing a critical weakness in the application's authentication and access control mechanisms. This issue stems from the insecure storage of passwords within the software's architecture, creating a significant security risk that undermines the fundamental principles of credential protection and user authentication. The flaw allows unauthorized actors to modify passwords without possessing the existing password knowledge, effectively bypassing the normal authentication process that should require valid credentials before granting access to modify account information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper cryptographic practices and secure credential management. When passwords are stored insecurely, they are typically either stored in plain text format or using weak encryption methods that can be easily reversed or bypassed by attackers. This insecure storage mechanism directly violates established security standards and best practices outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in CWE categories related to credential management and insecure data storage. The vulnerability creates an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit the weak password storage to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate their privileges within the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9404 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user authentication data within PACTware environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can not only access accounts but also modify password policies and user permissions, potentially leading to persistent unauthorized access and data compromise. This weakness affects the core authentication infrastructure of the software, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems and process automation environments where PACTware is commonly deployed. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require prior knowledge of existing passwords, which significantly lowers the barrier for attackers and increases the likelihood of successful compromise within affected systems.
Organizations utilizing affected PACTware versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise, particularly in environments where process automation and industrial control systems require robust authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability creates an attack vector that aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader assessment of industrial control system security, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the authentication infrastructure that could enable more sophisticated attacks. The recommended mitigation involves immediate application of the vendor-provided patches and updates to ensure proper password storage mechanisms are implemented, along with comprehensive security assessments of the affected systems to identify and remediate any potential compromise.
The insecure password storage vulnerability in PACTware exemplifies the critical importance of implementing proper cryptographic practices and secure credential management in industrial automation systems. Organizations should conduct thorough security reviews of their industrial control system environments to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all authentication mechanisms are properly hardened against known attack patterns. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the necessity for regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current security practices in critical infrastructure environments where system integrity and availability are paramount considerations.