CVE-2001-0597 in Strip
Summary
by MITRE
Zetetic Secure Tool for Recalling Important Passwords (STRIP) 0.5 and earlier for the PalmOS allows a local attacker to recover passwords via a brute force attack. This attack is made feasible by STRIP s use of SysRandom, which is seeded by TimeGetTicks, and an implementation flaw which vastly reduces the password search space .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0597 affects Zetetic Secure Tool for Recalling Important Passwords (STRIP) version 0.5 and earlier implementations running on PalmOS devices. This security flaw represents a significant weakness in the password management application's cryptographic implementation, specifically targeting the random number generation mechanism used for password protection. The vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on system-level random number generation functions that are inherently predictable due to insufficient entropy sources.
The technical implementation flaw resides in STRIP's utilization of SysRandom function which is seeded with TimeGetTicks, a system call that provides time information with limited granularity and predictability. This seeding mechanism creates a narrow entropy space that significantly reduces the complexity of potential password combinations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of cryptographic security principles where the application fails to implement proper random number generation with sufficient entropy for password protection. This weakness directly maps to CWE-330, which addresses insufficient entropy in random number generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 for exploitation of weak cryptography.
The operational impact of this vulnerability allows local attackers to conduct successful brute force attacks against stored passwords within the STRIP application. The reduced search space makes password recovery computationally feasible, potentially compromising sensitive authentication credentials stored in the PalmOS device. Attackers can systematically iterate through the limited password space, significantly reducing the time required to discover valid passwords compared to truly random password generation. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile device environments where physical access to the device may be obtained by adversaries, making the local attack vector highly relevant in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of improved random number generation mechanisms that utilize better entropy sources and ensure sufficient randomness for cryptographic operations. The application should be updated to employ proper cryptographic random number generators that incorporate multiple entropy sources rather than relying on time-based seeding. Organizations should consider immediate patching of affected STRIP versions and implement additional access controls to limit physical device access. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation practices and adherence to security standards such as NIST SP 800-90A for random number generation, which specifically addresses the requirements for cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generators to prevent predictable outputs that enable brute force attacks.