NetSupport Manager < 14.12.0001 relies on a shared Gateway Key for authentication between Manager/Control, Client, and Connectivity Server components. The key is stored using a reversible encoding scheme. An attacker who obtains access to a deployed client configuration file can decode the stored value to recover the plaintext Gateway Key. Possession of the Gateway Key allows unauthorized access to NetSupport Manager connectivity services and enables remote control of systems managed through the same key.
The storage of passwords in a recoverable format makes them subject to password reuse attacks by malicious users. In fact, it should be noted that recoverable encrypted passwords provide no significant benefit over plaintext passwords since they are subject not only to reuse by malicious attackers but also by malicious insiders. If a system administrator can recover a password directly, or use a brute force search on the available information, the administrator can use the password on other accounts.