CVE-2001-1116 in Biologon
Summary
by MITRE
Identix BioLogon 2.03 and earlier does not lock secondary displays on a multi-monitor system running Windows 98 or ME, which allows an attacker with physical access to the system to bypass authentication through a secondary display.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1116 affects Identix BioLogon 2.03 and earlier versions, specifically targeting multi-monitor systems operating on Windows 98 or ME platforms. This authentication bypass flaw stems from the software's inadequate handling of secondary display environments where the security mechanisms fail to properly secure all monitor outputs. The issue represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of the biometric authentication system, as it does not account for the complexities introduced by multiple display configurations in legacy operating systems.
The technical flaw manifests in the software's inability to enforce display locking mechanisms across all monitors within a multi-display setup. When a system employs multiple monitors, the primary display typically undergoes the standard authentication locking process, but secondary displays remain accessible without proper security controls. This occurs because the authentication software fails to recognize that all display outputs must be secured simultaneously to maintain the integrity of the authentication process. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where Windows 98 or ME operates in multi-monitor configurations, as these older operating systems handle display management differently than modern platforms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for organizations relying on biometric authentication systems in environments where physical access control is insufficient. An attacker with physical access to a compromised system can exploit this flaw by positioning themselves near the secondary display, potentially observing authentication prompts, capturing biometric data, or even directly manipulating the authentication process through the unlocked secondary screen. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential identity fraud and unauthorized system access, particularly in high-security environments where biometric systems are deployed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session management and improper handling of authentication states across multiple display environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through physical access exploitation. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal technical expertise and relies on the fundamental security assumption that all display outputs should remain locked during authentication processes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including system updates to newer versions of BioLogon software, disabling secondary displays during authentication processes, or implementing additional physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to display outputs.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of considering all environmental factors when designing security systems, particularly in legacy environments where display management protocols differ significantly from modern platforms. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in security software can create substantial risks when operating in complex multi-monitor configurations. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their authentication systems to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all display outputs are properly secured regardless of the number of monitors in use. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of comprehensive testing in realistic multi-display scenarios rather than relying solely on single-monitor testing environments.