CVE-2018-9233 : Security Advisory and Response

Sophos Endpoint Protection 10.7 utilizes an unsalted SHA-1 hash for password storage, potentially exposing passwords to malicious actors.

Understanding CVE-2018-9233

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in Sophos Endpoint Protection 10.7 that could compromise password security.

What is CVE-2018-9233?

The password storage mechanism in Sophos Endpoint Protection 10.7 is flawed, using an unsalted SHA-1 hash. This vulnerability allows attackers to decipher passwords easily, leading to potential security breaches.

The Impact of CVE-2018-9233

The use of unsalted SHA-1 hash for password storage in Sophos Endpoint Protection 10.7 poses significant risks:

Malicious individuals can determine original passwords more conveniently.
Attackers can select unsafe malware settings using rainbow tables or other methods.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-9233

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Sophos Endpoint Protection 10.7 employs an unsalted SHA-1 hash for password storage in %PROGRAMDATA%\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\Config\machine.xml, facilitating password decryption by threat actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the unsalted SHA-1 hash to decipher passwords and potentially manipulate malware settings.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-9233 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Sophos Endpoint Protection to a secure version.
Change all passwords stored in %PROGRAMDATA%\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\Config\machine.xml.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and encryption methods.
Regularly monitor and update security protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Sophos should release patches addressing the password storage vulnerability.