CVE-2019-25279: FaceSentry Cleartext Password Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25279 Overview

CVE-2019-25279 is a cleartext password storage vulnerability affecting FaceSentry Access Control System version 6.4.8. This security flaw allows attackers with local access to retrieve unencrypted user credentials directly from the device's SQLite database. The vulnerability stems from improper storage of sensitive authentication data, violating fundamental security principles around credential protection.

The affected database file located at /faceGuard/database/FaceSentryWeb.sqlite stores user login information in plaintext, meaning any attacker who gains access to the file system can directly read usernames and passwords without requiring cryptographic keys or additional authentication mechanisms.

Critical Impact

Local attackers can extract cleartext user credentials from the FaceSentry SQLite database, potentially compromising all user accounts on the access control system.

Affected Products

• FaceSentry Access Control System 6.4.8

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-08 - CVE CVE-2019-25279 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25279

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information), which occurs when an application stores sensitive data in plaintext format rather than using proper encryption or hashing mechanisms. In physical access control systems like FaceSentry, this represents a significant security oversight as credentials protect not only digital assets but physical premises.

The vulnerability requires local access to exploit, meaning an attacker would need to either have physical access to the device, obtain shell access through another vulnerability, or gain access to backups containing the database file. Once access is achieved, the exploitation is trivial—credentials can be extracted using standard SQLite tools without any specialized knowledge or decryption capabilities.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2019-25279 is the storage of user credentials in cleartext within the FaceSentryWeb.sqlite database file. Instead of implementing industry-standard password hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2, the application stores passwords in their original form. This design flaw means that database compromise immediately translates to full credential disclosure, with no cryptographic barrier protecting user accounts.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an adversary to gain access to the device's file system. Attack scenarios include:

An attacker with physical access to the FaceSentry device could extract the SQLite database by accessing the storage media directly. If the device exposes any remote access interfaces (SSH, web shell, or other vulnerabilities), an attacker could navigate to the /faceGuard/database/ directory and retrieve the FaceSentryWeb.sqlite file. Once obtained, the database can be opened with any SQLite client to view stored credentials in their original form.

The extracted credentials could then be used to authenticate to the access control system, potentially granting unauthorized physical access to secured facilities or enabling further attacks against connected systems.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25279

Indicators of Compromise

• Unauthorized access attempts to the /faceGuard/database/ directory or FaceSentryWeb.sqlite file
• Unusual file read operations or database queries targeting credential tables
• Evidence of SQLite client tools being executed on the device
• Unexpected backup or copy operations involving the database file

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system access logs for reads of the FaceSentryWeb.sqlite database file
• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) to detect unauthorized access to the database directory
• Review authentication logs for logins from unexpected sources or at unusual times that may indicate credential theft
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions to identify SQLite database extraction tools or suspicious command-line activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed audit logging on the FaceSentry device if available
• Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if credentials are compromised
• Monitor for authentication anomalies across systems where FaceSentry credentials may be reused
• Consider deploying SentinelOne Singularity to provide real-time visibility into file access patterns and suspicious database operations

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25279

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict physical and network access to FaceSentry devices to authorized personnel only
• Segment FaceSentry devices on isolated network segments to limit exposure
• Audit and rotate all credentials stored in the FaceSentry system
• Implement additional authentication layers where possible to reduce single-point-of-failure risks

Patch Information

No vendor patch information is currently available in the CVE data. Organizations should contact the FaceSentry vendor directly to inquire about security updates addressing this cleartext storage vulnerability. Review the Zero Science Vulnerability Advisory ZSL-2019-5529 and Packet Storm Security File #153501 for additional technical details about this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• Implement strict file system permissions to limit access to the database directory
• Enable full-disk encryption on the FaceSentry device to protect data at rest
• Deploy network access controls to prevent unauthorized remote access to the device
• Consider replacing affected systems with alternatives that implement proper credential hashing
• Ensure passwords used on FaceSentry are unique and not reused across other systems

# Example: Restrict database directory permissions (if supported by device)
chmod 700 /faceGuard/database/
chown root:root /faceGuard/database/FaceSentryWeb.sqlite
chmod 600 /faceGuard/database/FaceSentryWeb.sqlite