CVE-2025-15624: Sparx Pro Cloud Server Password Exposure

CVE-2025-15624 Overview

CVE-2025-15624 is a Plaintext Storage of a Password vulnerability affecting Sparx Systems Pty Ltd Pro Cloud Server. When OpenID is configured as the primary authentication method for Sparx EA, the Pro Cloud Server creates local passwords for users and stores them in plaintext, exposing credentials to unauthorized access.

Critical Impact

Attackers with access to the system or database can retrieve user passwords in plaintext, potentially leading to complete account compromise, lateral movement, and unauthorized access to enterprise architecture models and sensitive business data.

Affected Products

• Sparx Systems Pro Cloud Server (versions prior to patched release)
• Sparx EA deployments using OpenID authentication

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-17 - CVE CVE-2025-15624 published to NVD
• 2026-04-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-15624

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-256 (Plaintext Storage of a Password), representing a fundamental credential management failure. When Pro Cloud Server is configured to use OpenID as the primary authentication mechanism for Sparx EA, the system creates local user accounts with passwords that are stored without any cryptographic protection.

The plaintext storage occurs during the OpenID authentication flow when local account credentials are generated. Instead of applying proper password hashing algorithms (such as bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2), the system writes passwords directly to storage in cleartext form. This design flaw means that anyone with read access to the password storage location—whether through database access, file system access, backup retrieval, or SQL injection—can immediately obtain valid user credentials.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability is particularly concerning because Pro Cloud Server is designed to provide centralized model sharing across distributed teams. Organizations using this product typically store valuable enterprise architecture models, business process documentation, and system designs that could be highly sensitive.

Root Cause

The root cause is the failure to implement proper password hashing during the local account creation process when OpenID authentication is configured. The Pro Cloud Server generates local credentials as part of its OpenID integration but neglects to apply cryptographic one-way hashing before storing these passwords. This violates fundamental secure credential storage principles and industry best practices for password management.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no user interaction. An attacker who gains access to the password storage mechanism—whether through direct database access, backup file exposure, SQL injection, or other data exfiltration techniques—can immediately retrieve user passwords in readable form. These credentials can then be used for:

• Direct account takeover on the Pro Cloud Server
• Credential reuse attacks against other systems where users may have used the same password
• Privilege escalation if administrative accounts are compromised
• Access to sensitive enterprise architecture data stored within Sparx EA

The vulnerability does not require authentication to exploit if the attacker can access the storage mechanism through other means, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database access controls are not strictly enforced.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15624

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries targeting user credential tables or password columns
• Unauthorized access attempts to Pro Cloud Server configuration files or database
• Evidence of bulk data extraction from authentication-related storage
• Login attempts from unexpected IP addresses or geographic locations following potential credential exposure

Detection Strategies

• Monitor and audit all access to the Pro Cloud Server database, particularly queries against user account tables
• Implement database activity monitoring to detect suspicious SELECT queries targeting password fields
• Review access logs for the Pro Cloud Server installation directory and configuration files
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on credential storage locations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive audit logging for all Pro Cloud Server authentication events
• Configure alerts for unusual patterns in user authentication, such as multiple accounts accessed from a single source
• Monitor for credential stuffing attempts that may indicate stolen passwords are being tested
• Implement SIEM rules to correlate database access events with authentication anomalies

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15624

Immediate Actions Required

• Review your Pro Cloud Server deployment to determine if OpenID authentication is in use
• Audit current password storage to assess exposure and identify affected user accounts
• Force password resets for all users with local accounts created through the OpenID integration
• Restrict access to the Pro Cloud Server database and configuration files to minimize exposure risk

Patch Information

Sparx Systems has released updates addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade their Pro Cloud Server installation to the latest patched version. Refer to the Sparx Systems ProCloud Server History page for version details and download links.

Workarounds

• Implement strict access controls on the database containing Pro Cloud Server credentials to limit who can view stored data
• Use network segmentation to isolate the Pro Cloud Server database from general network access
• Consider disabling local account creation if OpenID can serve as the sole authentication mechanism
• Implement additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential exposure

# Configuration example
# Restrict database access to Pro Cloud Server credentials
# Example: MySQL access control modification
# Revoke SELECT on password columns from non-essential users
REVOKE SELECT ON procloud_db.users FROM 'app_readonly'@'%';

# Enable audit logging for credential table access
SET GLOBAL audit_log_policy = ALL;
SET GLOBAL audit_log_include_accounts = 'procloud_admin@%';