FileCatalyst Direct: Use of Hard-coded Password
CVE-2024-5275 is a high-severity use of hard-coded password vulnerability in FileCatalyst Direct from Fortra, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.8.10 as the first without the flaw, so updating FileCatalyst Direct to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.11% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update FileCatalyst Direct to 3.8.10 or a later version.
- Update FileCatalyst Workflow to 5.1.6 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortra | FileCatalyst Direct | 3.7 through 3.8.10.138; 3.7 up to, but not including, 3.8.10 | 3.8.10 |
| Fortra | FileCatalyst Workflow | 4.9.8 through 5.1.6.130; 4.9.8 up to, but not including, 5.1.6 | 5.1.6 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
Official description
A hard-coded password in the FileCatalyst TransferAgent can be found which can be used to unlock the keystore from which contents may be read out, for example, the private key for certificates. Exploit of this vulnerability could lead to a machine-in-the-middle (MiTM) attack against users of the agent. This issue affects all versions of FileCatalyst Direct from 3.8.10 Build 138 and earlier and all versions of FileCatalyst Workflow from 5.1.6 Build 130 and earlier.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Password
The product contains a hard-coded password, which it uses for its own inbound authentication or for outbound authentication to external components.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For outbound authentication: store passwords outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible.
- For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password.
- Perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded password. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Recent Use of Hard-coded Password vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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