Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
MTPutty 1.0.1.21 can expose SSH passwords in plaintext to a local Windows user by revealing how the running process was launched. This is not a remote internet attack, but it can turn a compromised workstation or shared jump box into a source of reusable SSH credentials.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted credential exposure risk. Prioritize admin workstations and shared access systems because leaked SSH passwords can enable broader infrastructure access. It is less urgent than a remote code execution issue but should be remediated quickly where privileged credentials are involved.
Technical view
The vulnerability is a sensitive information disclosure issue, mapped to CWE-522. A low-privileged local attacker can inspect MTPutty process command-line details and recover SSH connection passwords. The listed affected product is Ttyplus MTPutty version 1.0.1.21. CVSS v4.0 is 6.8 with local attack vector and high confidentiality impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Windows systems running MTPutty 1.0.1.21, especially administrator workstations, shared support machines, or jump hosts used for SSH access. Systems where local users are untrusted or already compromised face higher risk.
Exploitation context
A public ExploitDB entry exists, but the source bundle does not indicate active exploitation and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation requires local access and targets plaintext SSH credentials visible through process metadata, not the SSH servers directly.
Researcher notes
The available evidence identifies one affected version and a local credential disclosure path. No vendor fix is named in the provided sources. Avoid assuming broader version impact without additional vendor confirmation. Public exploit information exists, so defenders should validate exposure without reproducing offensive details.
Mitigation direction
- Identify systems running MTPutty 1.0.1.21.
- Check the vendor site for updated guidance or fixed releases.
- Avoid using workflows that expose SSH passwords through process arguments.
- Rotate SSH passwords that may have been used from affected hosts.
- Limit local user access on jump hosts and admin workstations.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed MTPutty versions on Windows endpoints.
- Confirm whether version 1.0.1.21 is present.
- Review affected hosts for MTPutty usage involving password-based SSH logins.
- Assess whether untrusted local users can access those systems.
- Check credential rotation status for accounts used through MTPutty.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-522: Credential and account abuse lookup
Authentication and credential weaknesses can make valid-account abuse and credential telemetry useful review starting points. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCredential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-47759 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.8 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
6.8MediumVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-50574CVE reference · exploit
- Official MTPutty Product HomepageCVE reference · product
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Insufficiently Protected Credentials
Insufficiently Protected Credentials represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.