CVE-2018-18656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-18656 affecting PureVPN client for Windows. Discover the risks of storing unencrypted login credentials and how to mitigate this security vulnerability.
The PureVPN client for Windows, versions prior to 6.1.0, stores login credentials without encryption, allowing all local users to access and read them.
Understanding CVE-2018-18656
This CVE highlights a security vulnerability in the PureVPN client for Windows that exposes login credentials.
What is CVE-2018-18656?
The PureVPN client for Windows, before version 6.1.0, stores login credentials (username and password) in cleartext at a specific file location, making them accessible to all local users.
The Impact of CVE-2018-18656
The vulnerability poses a significant security risk as sensitive login information is stored without encryption, potentially leading to unauthorized access and compromise of user accounts.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-18656
This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The PureVPN client for Windows versions prior to 6.1.0 stores login credentials (username and password) in cleartext at %PROGRAMDATA%\purevpn\config\login.conf, allowing all local users to read the file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: PureVPN client for Windows
- Versions affected: Prior to 6.1.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by any local user on the system to access and read the login.conf file containing unencrypted login credentials.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update PureVPN client to version 6.1.0 or later to ensure login credentials are encrypted.
- Restrict access to the login.conf file to authorized users only.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement strong password policies to enhance overall account security.
- Regularly monitor and audit access to sensitive files to detect unauthorized activities.
Patching and Updates
- Regularly check for software updates and security patches from PureVPN to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.