CVE-2026-22906

Overview

A critical security vulnerability has been identified in which user credentials are insecurely protected. The flaw involves the use of a weak, predictable encryption method with a key that is embedded directly in the software. This allows attackers to easily reverse the protection and steal login information.

Vulnerability Details

The affected system stores usernames and passwords in a configuration file using the AES encryption algorithm in ECB (Electronic Codebook) mode with a static, hardcoded key. This combination is fundamentally insecure for two main reasons:

1. ECB Mode is Predictable: ECB encrypts identical blocks of data into identical blocks of ciphertext. This creates patterns that can be exploited, especially for structured data like credentials.
2. Hardcoded Key is a Shared Secret: The decryption key is the same for every installation and is contained within the application’s code. If an attacker obtains the encrypted configuration file—which may be accessible remotely—they can use this universal key to decrypt all stored credentials.

This weakness is often compounded by an authentication bypass flaw, allowing an attacker to first gain access to the protected configuration file without needing a password.

Potential Impact

The impact of this vulnerability is severe. An unauthenticated remote attacker could:

• Decrypt All Stored Credentials: Recover the plaintext usernames and passwords for the application.
• Gain Unauthorized Access: Use these stolen credentials to log into the affected system with the privileges of the compromised accounts.
• Facilitate Lateral Movement: If the reused credentials are for privileged accounts or are used on other systems, the attacker can expand their access across the network. This leads to a complete compromise of data confidentiality, system integrity, and availability.

Remediation and Mitigation

Immediate Action (Mitigation):

1. Rotate All Passwords: Immediately change passwords for all user accounts configured in the affected system, as well as any accounts elsewhere that used the same credentials.
2. Restrict File Access: Harden filesystem permissions on the configuration file to the absolute minimum necessary, blocking unauthorized users and remote access where possible. This is a temporary barrier, not a fix.

Permanent Solution (Remediation): Contact the software vendor immediately. A code-level patch is required that must:

• Eliminate the Hardcoded Key: Move to a key management system where encryption keys are unique, properly secured, and not stored in the application binary.
• Use Strong Encryption: Replace AES-ECB with a secure, authenticated mode like AES-GCM. Credentials should be salted and hashed (using a function like Argon2 or bcrypt) instead of being reversibly encrypted, if possible. Apply the vendor-provided patch as soon as it becomes available. Until a patch is released, consider the system critically exposed and monitor it closely for signs of unauthorized access.