CVE-2021-37452:NCH Quorum v2.03 and earlier stores user login credentials in cleartext in local configuration files.

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Description Preview

NCH Quorum v2.03 and earlier contains a critical security vulnerability where user login information is stored in plaintext within local .dat configuration files. This allows any local user with access to these files to discover cleartext credentials of other users. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and poses a significant risk to user account security.

Overview

NCH Quorum is a video conferencing application developed by NCH Software. The vulnerability affects version 2.03 and earlier versions of the software. The issue stems from improper handling of sensitive authentication data, where user credentials are stored without encryption in local .dat configuration files on the system. Any user with local access to the affected system can read these files and extract valid login credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user accounts. This type of vulnerability (CWE-312) is considered a serious security risk as it exposes sensitive authentication data without requiring sophisticated attack techniques.

Remediation

Users should take the following actions to mitigate this vulnerability:

  1. Update to the latest version of NCH Quorum if a patched version is available.
  2. If an update is not available, consider using alternative video conferencing solutions until a fix is released.
  3. Change any passwords that were used with NCH Quorum, especially if those passwords are reused on other services.
  4. Implement proper access controls to limit who can access the local machine where Quorum is installed.
  5. Contact NCH Software for additional security recommendations or information about patches.

References

  1. Vulnerability details and proof of concept: https://github.com/0xfml/poc/blob/main/NCH/Quorum_2.03_CC.md
  2. NCH Quorum product page: https://www.nch.com.au/conference/index.html
  3. CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information - https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/312.html

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  2. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  3. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  5. Construction
    Construction
  6. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  7. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  8. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  9. Information
    Information
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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