CVE-2001-0837 in PC-to-Phone
Summary
by MITRE
DeltaThree Pc-To-Phone 3.0.3 places sensitive data in world-readable locations in the installation directory, which allows local users to read the information in (1) temp.html, (2) the log folder, and (3) the PhoneBook folder.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0837 affects DeltaThree Pc-To-Phone version 3.0.3, a telecommunications software application designed for computer-to-phone communication. This security flaw represents a classic case of insecure permissions and improper access control implementation within the application's installation directory structure. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly secure sensitive data files and directories, creating an environment where local users can access information that should remain protected. The issue manifests through three specific file locations that are configured with world-readable permissions, allowing any local user to access potentially sensitive information without authentication or authorization.
The technical flaw involves improper file system permissions where the installation directory contains three distinct locations with excessive read access. The temp.html file serves as a temporary storage location that contains sensitive information in a world-readable format, while the log folder and PhoneBook folder also maintain insecure permissions. This configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-732, which describes improper permission settings where security-critical information is accessible to unauthorized users. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for local users who may exploit these insecure file permissions to gain access to sensitive data that could include communication logs, contact information, and potentially other system-related data that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive communication data and contact information that could be used for social engineering attacks or further exploitation. Local users who can access the log folder may obtain detailed communication records, while access to the PhoneBook folder could reveal contact information for individuals within the organization or system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which covers data from local system, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should be enforced in all system installations. The exposure of such information could lead to privacy violations, unauthorized access to communication records, and potential escalation to more serious security incidents. Organizations using this software are particularly vulnerable in environments where multiple users share the same system or where untrusted local users have access to the system, as the vulnerability does not require network connectivity or remote exploitation to be exploited.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate permission corrections where the installation directory and its subdirectories are configured with appropriate access controls. The recommended approach involves setting restrictive file permissions on the temp.html file, log folder, and PhoneBook folder to ensure that only authorized users or processes can access these locations. System administrators should also consider implementing proper access control lists and ensuring that sensitive data is stored in secure locations with appropriate discretionary access controls. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure software installation practices and proper permission management during application deployment, as well as the need for regular security audits to identify and remediate similar issues. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive directories and consider additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring to detect potential exploitation of such vulnerabilities.