CVE-2000-0275 in CRYPTOAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
CRYPTOCard CryptoAdmin for PalmOS uses weak encryption to store a user's PIN number, which allows an attacker with access to the .PDB file to generate valid PT-1 tokens after cracking the PIN.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0275 represents a critical weakness in the cryptographic implementation of CRYPTOCard CryptoAdmin software designed for PalmOS devices. This flaw specifically targets the storage mechanism of user PIN numbers within the .PDB file format, which serves as the primary data container for the PalmOS application. The vulnerability stems from the use of inadequate encryption algorithms that fail to provide sufficient security guarantees for sensitive authentication data. The weak encryption implementation creates a significant attack surface that directly compromises the integrity of the token-based authentication system.
The technical flaw manifests through the application of insufficient cryptographic strength to protect PIN data stored in the PalmOS database files. When users authenticate through the CryptoAdmin application, their PIN numbers are serialized into the .PDB file using encryption methods that are vulnerable to cryptographic analysis and brute force attacks. This weakness allows an attacker who gains access to the file to perform offline cracking operations against the stored PIN, ultimately enabling the generation of valid PT-1 tokens without legitimate authorization. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security premise of token-based authentication systems by failing to protect the cryptographic keys or PINs that serve as the foundation for access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass complete compromise of the authentication infrastructure. An attacker with access to the .PDB file can exploit this weakness to generate valid authentication tokens, effectively bypassing the security controls that the system was designed to enforce. This represents a severe escalation of privileges that allows unauthorized users to impersonate legitimate system users and gain access to protected resources. The vulnerability also impacts the overall trust model of the cryptographic system, as it demonstrates that even basic authentication data protection mechanisms can be defeated through relatively straightforward cryptographic attacks. The consequences include potential unauthorized access to systems, data breaches, and the undermining of cryptographic security policies that depend on proper PIN protection.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a clear violation of security best practices for data protection. The attack vector described in the vulnerability corresponds to techniques outlined in the ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation categories, specifically targeting the compromise of authentication tokens through offline attacks. Mitigation strategies should include implementing strong encryption algorithms with sufficient key lengths, regular security assessments of cryptographic implementations, and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication layers beyond token-based systems, regular security training for personnel handling cryptographic data, and comprehensive monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to established cryptographic standards and avoiding the use of deprecated or insufficiently strong encryption methods in security-critical applications.