In KeePass 2.x versions prior to 2.54, a significant vulnerability exists that allows an attacker to recover the cleartext master password from a memory dump, even when a workspace is locked or no longer running. The memory dump can originate from various sources, including a KeePass process dump, swap file (pagefile.sys), hibernation file (hiberfil.sys), or a complete RAM dump of the system. It is important to note that while the first character of the password cannot be recovered, the remaining characters can be exploited. The introduction of version 2.54 brings mitigations through different API usage and random string insertion, addressing this critical issue.
The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.5, classifying it as high severity. This score indicates a high level of risk due to its potential for exploitation across a network with low complexity. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, significantly impacting the confidentiality of affected organizations.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The risk of exposure is heightened due to the nature of the vulnerability, which allows attackers to access critical credentials without the need for extensive privileges or user interaction.
Currently, there are no known public exploits confirmed for this vulnerability, but the existence of proof-of-concept code on GitHub raises concerns about the potential for future attacks. Security teams must remain vigilant and monitor for updates regarding this vulnerability to ensure effective mitigation strategies are in place.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description identifies significant weaknesses in KeePass versions prior to 2.54, particularly addressing the recovery of the master password from memory dumps. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which indicates the exposure of sensitive information through inadequate protection mechanisms.
The CVSS 3.1 vector string associated with this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, confirming that this is a network attack vector with low complexity, requiring no privileges and no user interaction. The confidentiality impact is rated as high, emphasizing the potential for unauthorized access to critical information.
The vulnerability was published on May 15, 2023, and is classified as modified due to subsequent updates. Organizations utilizing KeePass should take immediate action to upgrade to version 2.54 or later to mitigate risks.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate handling of sensitive data within the KeePass application. Specifically, the application does not sufficiently protect the master password stored in memory, allowing it to be extracted through memory dumps. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely, as the attack vector is classified as network-based.
The attack complexity is assessed as low, indicating that an attacker requires minimal skill to exploit this vulnerability. Furthermore, no privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary, making it particularly concerning for organizations.
The impacts of this vulnerability are severe in terms of confidentiality, as attackers may gain access to sensitive passwords, while the integrity and availability of the system remain unaffected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing KeePass must be aware of the real-world implications of this vulnerability. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive master passwords poses a significant risk to data confidentiality. The blast radius includes any organization that relies on KeePass for secure password management, particularly those handling critical or sensitive information.
Given the high CVSS score of 7.5 and the existence of proof-of-concept code, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency for remediation is underscored by the potential for exploitation and the high impact on confidentiality.
With an EPSS score of 0.755, this vulnerability falls in the 99th percentile of risk, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. Organizations should actively monitor this vulnerability and implement necessary security measures to mitigate risks associated with potential threats.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all KeePass versions prior to 2.54. Organizations are advised to upgrade to the latest version to mitigate the associated risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to KeePass version 2.54 or later, where mitigation measures have been implemented. If an upgrade is not immediately possible, organizations should consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring memory usage for suspicious activities.
For ongoing security assurance, organizations may engage in penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities and assess the overall security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for any unusual memory access patterns and maintain logs of memory dumps to detect potential exploitation attempts. Furthermore, behavioral anomalies in KeePass usage can also serve as indicators of compromise.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability underscores the importance of securing sensitive data in memory and the need for robust security measures in password management applications. Organizations should learn from this incident to implement best practices for data protection and regularly assess their security frameworks.
For further reading on vulnerability management, consider reviewing our vulnerability management program to enhance your organization’s resilience against similar threats.
Additionally, our article on penetration testing methodology illustrates effective strategies to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
Finally, reviewing our guide on web application penetration testing can provide insights into securing applications against similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)