Re: [Full-Disclosure] Re: IRCXpro 1.0 - Clear local and default remote admin passwords

From: IRCXpro Support (supportat_private)
Date: Tue Jun 03 2003 - 08:31:43 PDT

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    Reply to Feedback from Darren:

> Firstly, there has been support for storing passwords, encrypted, in
> configuration files on Unix for over 10 years, if not longer.  I can

The reason why IRC servers "IRCD.config" files don't use encryption (see
file attachment for example) is because 49 times out of 50 they do not come
with a GUI program.  Administrators main method of changing the
configuration is to manually edit the file using a notepad utility.

> at leisure.  Windows, Linux, it does not matter, there are security
> threats to all environments that when exploited given outsiders some
> sort of "local access".

Then in this case this would be an operating system vulnerability.

Overuse in the use of encrypted passwords can be counter productive to
functionality.
There are good reasons to keep passwords clear text passwords to better
interface with other software.
For example Merak Mail server software
(http://www.icewarp.com/Products/Merak_Email_Server_Software/)
When using this mail server, it can store the accounts on an SQL Server.
The passwords are stored clear text.  This enables other software to
interface with its data to create and sync its accounts/passwords with other
systems.

However we will give the issue raised due attention in our next version
release and appreciate everybody's efforts & feedback to further improving
our product.

Regards,
IRCXpro Support



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darren Reed" <avalonat_private>
To: "IRCXpro Support" <supportat_private>
Cc: "morning_wood" <se_cur_ityat_private>; <bugtraqat_private>;
<full-disclosureat_private>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 3:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Full-Disclosure] Re: IRCXpro 1.0 - Clear local and default
remote admin passwords


> In some mail from IRCXpro Support, sie said:
> >
> > Vulnerability(s):
> > 1. Local clear passwords
> >
> > Our Reply: It is common place for all IRC Server applications to store
clear
> > passwords in the IRCD.config files.  The nature of the program is for it
to
> > be used by Remote Users, NOT local ones.
>
> There are a couple of extremely bad comments in these two sentences,
> let us dwell on it for a moment or two.
>
> Firstly, there has been support for storing passwords, encrypted, in
> configuration files on Unix for over 10 years, if not longer.  I can
> go pull out some source code of that vintage with support for using
> crypt() to validate passwords if you're in doubt.
>
> Now, be that as it may, you've made a somewhat fatal assumption in
> your justification - that the remote users will never have any other
> access to the server that would let them  browse the configuration
> at leisure.  Windows, Linux, it does not matter, there are security
> threats to all environments that when exploited given outsiders some
> sort of "local access".
>
> I find it somewhat disturbing to see development of inferior security
> standards in products based on the supposition that nobody practises
> good security with the various IRC server passwords.
>
> Darren
>
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