Bugtraq mailing list archives
Re: Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext
From: ews () RSMARTINC COM (Ernie Souhrada)
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 13:48:21 -0700
I just tried to duplicate this, as some of our products rely on MS Access 97, and it'd be a useful thing to know about, and I couldn't do it. When I follow the procedure below, I get to step 8 where I'm to select the MDB that I've put a password on, and instead of giving me a list of tables to select from, it asks me for the password to the MDB. Can't get past that point to get to step 10. Anyone out there have any luck in making this work? I'm using Access97 SR-1 on NT 4.0 Workstation SP4 (128-bit). TiA... ------------------- Ernie Souhrada Network Administrator RSmart, Inc. Email: ews () rsmartinc com / Voice: 602.224.4720 / ICQ: 13748304
====================================================================== Title: Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext Date: 02/03/99 Author: Donald Moore (MindRape) E-mail: damaged () futureone com ====================================================================== 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(& ====================================================================== Impact of Exploit ====================================================================== 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 How to Recreate ====================================================================== 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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- Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext Donald Moore (Feb 04)
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- Re: Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext Ernie Souhrada (Feb 04)
- NOBO denial of service Andrew J. Gavin (Feb 04)
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- Re: Microsoft Access 97 Stores Database Password as Plaintext Ricardo Peres (Feb 04)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Unsecured server in applets under Netscape Philip Stoev (Feb 03)
- Re: Unsecured server in applets under Netscape BVE (Feb 02)