CVE-2022-41399 in 300
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2023
The optional Web Screens feature for Sage 300 through version 2022 uses a hard-coded 40-byte blowfish key ("PASS_KEY") to encrypt and decrypt the database connection string for the PORTAL database found in the "dbconfig.xml". This issue could allow attackers to obtain access to the SQL database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-41399 affects Sage 300 versions up to 2022 and resides in the optional Web Screens feature implementation. This weakness demonstrates a critical failure in cryptographic key management where a hard-coded encryption key is embedded within the application binaries. The specific implementation uses a 40-byte blowfish key labeled as "PASS_KEY" which is statically configured within the software, making it accessible to any attacker who can obtain the application files or memory dumps. This design flaw represents a fundamental violation of secure coding practices and directly enables unauthorized access to backend database systems.
The technical flaw manifests through the insecure handling of database connection credentials within the dbconfig.xml configuration file. The Web Screens feature encrypts the PORTAL database connection string using the hardcoded blowfish key, but since this key is not derived from a secure random source or dynamically generated, it remains constant across all installations. Attackers who can access the application files or gain sufficient privileges to extract the key can easily decrypt the database connection information and establish direct connections to the underlying SQL database. This vulnerability falls under CWE-327 which specifically addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and hardcoded keys, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1566 for social engineering attacks and T1071 for application layer protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass complete database access and potential data exfiltration. Once an attacker obtains the decrypted database connection string, they can perform read, write, and delete operations on the PORTAL database, potentially accessing sensitive financial information, customer data, and business-critical records. The vulnerability affects organizations using Sage 300 in web-based environments where the Web Screens feature is enabled, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the software is properly patched or the feature is disabled. This weakness particularly impacts financial institutions and businesses that rely on Sage 300 for enterprise resource planning and accounting operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by Sage, which would address the hardcoded key issue by implementing proper key management practices. Organizations should disable the Web Screens feature if it is not actively required, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems, while regular security audits should verify that no hardcoded cryptographic keys exist in deployed applications. The fix should implement dynamic key generation using secure random number generators and proper key derivation functions as recommended by NIST SP 800-132 for cryptographic key management. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular penetration testing should verify that the vulnerability has been properly addressed.