CVE-2023-32784
Published: 15 May 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-32784 is a high-severity Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information (CWE-319) vulnerability in Keepass Keepass. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.0% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
KeePass 2.x before version 2.54 stores the master password in plaintext in process memory, allowing recovery from a KeePass process dump, the Windows pagefile.sys, hiberfil.sys, or a full-system RAM image even after the workspace is locked or the application has exited. Only the first character of the password is not recoverable. Version 2.54 changes API usage and inserts random strings to reduce the exposure.
An attacker with the ability to obtain any of the listed memory artifacts can extract the master password and thereby decrypt the entire password database. The vulnerability can be triggered remotely in the CVSS sense because an adversary need only acquire a memory capture rather than interact directly with a running KeePass instance.
The supplied references point to community discussions and a proof-of-concept dumper but do not contain vendor-issued mitigation guidance beyond the statement that 2.54 addresses the issue. The EPSS score has remained at its observed peak of 0.7648 with no documented rise after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-37007
Vulnerability details
In KeePass 2.x before 2.54, it is possible to recover the cleartext master password from a memory dump, even when a workspace is locked or no longer running. The memory dump can be a KeePass process dump, swap file (pagefile.sys),…
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hibernation file (hiberfil.sys), or RAM dump of the entire system. The first character cannot be recovered. In 2.54, there is different API usage and/or random string insertion for mitigation.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Role-based training covers secure transmission methods, mitigating cleartext transmission of sensitive data.
By requiring documented security controls for information exchanges, the control reduces the risk of cleartext transmission of sensitive data.
Mapping transmission actions in data flows helps prevent cleartext transmission of sensitive information.
Settings can enforce secure transmission protocols to prevent cleartext transmission of sensitive data.
Policy addresses secure transport and handling of media to avoid cleartext transmission of sensitive information.
Enforces safeguards against cleartext transmission of CUI when data leaves organizational boundaries to external systems.
Explicit controls and continuous oversight on external system services prevent cleartext transmission of sensitive information over provider-managed channels.
Key-establishment procedures specify secure distribution channels that preclude cleartext transmission of key material.