CVE-2020-13473 : Security Advisory and Response

NCH Express Accounts 8.24 and earlier versions allow local users to discover cleartext passwords by reading the configuration file.

Understanding CVE-2020-13473

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in NCH Express Accounts that could lead to the exposure of sensitive information.

What is CVE-2020-13473?

The vulnerability in NCH Express Accounts 8.24 and earlier versions enables local users to access cleartext passwords through the configuration file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13473

The vulnerability poses a security risk as it allows unauthorized users to retrieve sensitive information, compromising the confidentiality of passwords.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13473

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in NCH Express Accounts allows local users to read the configuration file and extract cleartext passwords, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: NCH Express Accounts
Vendor: NCH
Versions affected: 8.24 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by local users who have access to the configuration file, enabling them to retrieve passwords stored in cleartext.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-13473 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Restrict access to configuration files to authorized users only.
Implement encryption for storing sensitive information like passwords.
Regularly monitor and audit access to critical files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security training for employees on handling sensitive data.
Keep software and systems updated to patch known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that NCH Express Accounts is updated to the latest version that addresses the vulnerability.