Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext

[mindrape () HOME COM (Donald Moore)]

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  Title: Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext
   Date: 02/03/99
 Author: Donald Moore (MindRape)
 E-mail: damaged () futureone com
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Microsoft Access 97 databases protected with a password are stored in
foreign mdb's table attachements as plaintext.  This can be accessed very
easily by issuing a strings and grep operation on the foreign mdb.

    Example:
        % strings db1.mdb | grep -i "pwd"

        MS Access;PWD=plaintext;Table2pppppppjI'%
        MS Access;PWD=plaintext;Table1qqqqqqqkJ(&

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 Impact of Exploit
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Having the password allows the secured mdb to be unlocked, giving permission
to view database objects, possibily revealing other database connection
strings, propiertary source code, tampering of data.  One such commercial
database marketed by FMS, Inc., Total VB SourceBook 6.0, can be easily
compromised using this method.


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 How to Recreate
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 1. Create an mdb
 2. Create a Table
 3. Reopen the new mdb in exclusive mode
 4. From the Tools Menu, select Security and then click Set Database
Password
 5. Set database password
 6. Exit Access
 7. Create another mdb
 8. From the File Menu, select Get External Data, and click Link Tables....
Select
    the passworded mdb and then select the table you created.
 9. Exit Access
10. Perform a strings+grep on the 2nd mdb to reveal the password.


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   Donald Moore (MindRape)          . .::./ ./  // ./__/.:::. .
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   Email: mindrape () home com            .             \/  .
           damaged () futureone com       Damaged Cybernetics
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