Portcullis Security Advisory 06-042


Vulnerable System:

Visionsoft Audit


Vulnerability Title:

The VSAOD server uses a weak algorithm to obscure passwords on the wire and within configuration files.


Vulnerability Discovery and Development:

Portcullis Security Testing Services discovered this vulnerability during an application assessment. 
Further research was then carried out post assessment.


Credit For Discovery:

Tim Brown and Mark Lowe - Portcullis Computer Security Ltd.


Affected systems:

All known versions of Visionsoft Audit, this vulnerability was discovered for version 12.4.0.0.


Details:

Passwords used to authenticate with the remote VSAOD server prior to the execution of the requested executable are obscured on the wire and in configuration files using an XOR based algorithm.


Impact:

An attacker who compromised a system running a VSAOD server could unobscure the password identified through eavesdropping the network traffic or from the configuration file.  Typically this will be a domain account with privileged access to the systems on the network.  The attacker potentially will be able to authenticate with these systems using other servers.  Note: The configuration file typically has read permissions for both Users and Power Users.


Exploit:

Exploit code is not required.

Vendor Status:

Contacted support@visionsoft.com


e-mailed - 16th January 2007
e-mailed - 26th February 2007
e-mailed - 15th March 2007


Copyright:

Copyright Portcullis Computer Security Limited 2006, All rights reserved worldwide.
Permission is hereby granted for the electronic redistribution of this information. It is not to be edited or altered in any way without the express written consent of Portcullis Computer Security Limited.


Disclaimer:

The information herein contained may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. In no event shall the author/distributor (Portcullis Computer Security Limited) be held liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information.