CVE-2001-1520 in Xircom REX
Summary
by MITRE
Xircom REX 6000 allows local users to obtain the 10 digit PIN by starting a serial monitor, connecting to the personal digital assistant (PDA) via Rextools, and capturing the cleartext PIN.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1520 represents a significant security flaw in the Xircom REX 6000 personal digital assistant device that falls under the category of weak authentication mechanisms and cleartext credential exposure. This issue specifically affects the authentication process of the device, where the 10-digit personal identification number is transmitted in cleartext over the serial connection, making it susceptible to interception by local attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure communication protocols and credential handling within embedded systems of that era, highlighting the importance of cryptographic protection for sensitive authentication data.
The technical flaw manifests through the device's serial monitoring interface which allows unauthorized access to the PDA's communication channels. When a local user initiates a serial monitor and connects to the personal digital assistant via Rextools, the system fails to implement proper encryption or authentication mechanisms to protect the PIN transmission. This creates a clear path for attackers to capture the PIN as it travels through the serial connection in plaintext format, effectively bypassing any security measures that might otherwise protect the device's access controls. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of secure communication protocols during the authentication phase, making it particularly dangerous for devices that rely on simple PIN-based access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate security compromise of the device itself, as it could potentially enable unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on the PDA, facilitate further attacks on connected systems, and provide attackers with a foothold for more extensive network infiltration. The local nature of the attack means that physical access to the device is required, but this still represents a significant risk in environments where devices might be left unattended or where social engineering attacks could lead to unauthorized physical access. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing all communication channels, particularly those used for authentication, and highlights the risks associated with embedded systems that lack proper cryptographic protections.
Organizations and security professionals should implement several mitigations to address this vulnerability, including ensuring that all communication channels use encrypted protocols, implementing proper access controls that limit physical access to devices, and regularly updating firmware to address known security issues. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-316 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, which emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive data both at rest and in transit. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through unencrypted communication channels and privilege escalation through local access to authentication mechanisms, making it a critical concern for organizations implementing security controls around embedded devices and PDA systems.