CVE-2021-27757 in BigFix Insights
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2022
" Insecure password storage issue.The application stores sensitive information in cleartext within a resource that might be accessible to another control sphere.Since the information is stored in cleartext, attackers could potentially read it and gain access to sensitive information."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in application security architecture where sensitive authentication data is improperly stored in plaintext format. The issue manifests when applications fail to implement proper cryptographic protection mechanisms for storing user credentials or sensitive session data. According to CWE-312, this falls under the category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information" where confidential data is persisted in an unencrypted format that can be directly accessed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk vector that extends beyond traditional runtime attacks to encompass long-term data exposure threats.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and data protection practices within the application's configuration management or data persistence layer. When sensitive information such as passwords, API keys, or authentication tokens are stored without proper encryption, they become immediately accessible to any entity with read access to the storage location. This could include local file system access, database queries, or even network traffic interception if the application fails to implement proper transport layer security. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the data persistence level rather than the runtime execution level, meaning that compromised systems can maintain access to stored credentials indefinitely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft, creating cascading security risks throughout the affected system landscape. Attackers who gain access to the cleartext storage location can immediately leverage stolen credentials to access additional systems, escalate privileges, or conduct lateral movement within the network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes credential harvesting through various access vectors, but specifically emphasizes the exploitation of weak credential storage mechanisms. The vulnerability becomes particularly problematic in environments where multiple applications share common credential stores or where the application's data is accessible to other processes or control spheres within the same execution environment.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from reoccurring. Organizations should implement robust cryptographic protection mechanisms including strong encryption algorithms such as AES-256 for data at rest, proper key management practices, and secure credential storage solutions like hardware security modules or cloud-based key management services. The implementation of proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the scope of potential damage from compromised storage locations. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in data storage practices. Organizations should also consider implementing credential rotation policies and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive storage areas, aligning with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 control families that emphasize secure configuration and access control measures.