CVE-2002-2122 in Pointsec
Summary
by MITRE
Pointsec before 1.2 for PalmOS stores a user s PIN number in memory in plaintext, which allows a local attacker who steals an unlocked Palm to retrieve the PIN by dumping memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2024
This vulnerability exists in Pointsec version 1.2 and earlier for PalmOS devices where the application stores user PIN numbers in plaintext within system memory. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly violates fundamental principles of credential protection and memory sanitization. When a PalmOS device is unlocked, the PIN remains accessible in RAM in an unencrypted format, creating an immediate attack surface for local adversaries who gain physical access to the device. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where sensitive authentication data is not securely handled during runtime operations, allowing for direct memory inspection techniques to extract the PIN. This represents a classic example of insecure data storage as classified under CWE-312, specifically involving the exposure of sensitive information in memory. The attack vector requires local physical access to an unlocked device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended or stolen. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability undermines the core security model of the Pointsec encryption solution, as it allows attackers to bypass the encryption protection by simply retrieving the PIN from memory. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as the PIN typically serves as the primary authentication mechanism for accessing encrypted data, effectively nullifying the encryption protection provided by the application. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1003.001 for Credential Dumping, where adversaries extract credentials from memory to gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and inadequate protection of sensitive data during application runtime, as the system fails to implement proper memory sanitization and credential obfuscation mechanisms. Organizations using Pointsec on PalmOS devices were particularly vulnerable because the memory layout and data structures were accessible through standard memory dumping utilities, making the exploitation relatively straightforward for technically skilled attackers. The flaw also highlights the importance of proper memory management in mobile security applications, where sensitive data must be protected even when the system is in an unlocked state. This vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor for local attackers who can directly access the device's memory to extract authentication credentials without requiring sophisticated attack techniques. The issue represents a fundamental failure in the security architecture of the Pointsec application, as it assumes that the device's memory will remain secure, which is not the case in real-world scenarios where physical access can be gained by adversaries. Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of why sensitive data must be protected through multiple layers of security controls, including proper memory encryption and access controls. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that PalmOS devices were commonly used in business environments where sensitive data was stored, making the extraction of PINs particularly dangerous for corporate security. This flaw also demonstrates the critical importance of following secure development lifecycle practices, particularly in mobile security applications where physical security and digital security must work in conjunction to provide comprehensive protection. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned security tools can contain critical flaws if proper security testing and code review practices are not implemented throughout the development process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly secure memory allocation for PIN storage. When users enter their PINs into the Pointsec application, the system stores this information in RAM without any form of encryption or obfuscation. The memory addresses containing the PIN can be accessed through various memory dumping utilities that are readily available to attackers. This approach violates the principle of least privilege and secure memory handling, as sensitive information is stored in a format that can be directly read by any process with appropriate memory access permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during normal application operation when the device is unlocked, meaning that the PIN remains in a recoverable state throughout the session. This design flaw represents a failure in both the application's security architecture and its implementation of secure credential handling practices. The memory layout used by Pointsec likely exposes the PIN in a predictable format, making it easily identifiable through pattern recognition techniques. The vulnerability also demonstrates a lack of proper memory management protocols, as the application does not clear sensitive data from memory after use, leaving it accessible for forensic analysis. This weakness directly relates to CWE-563, which addresses the improper handling of sensitive data, and CWE-311, which covers the absence of encryption of sensitive data in transit or at rest. The attack scenario requires minimal technical expertise, as standard memory inspection tools can be used to extract the PIN from the device's RAM. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by attackers with basic technical knowledge rather than requiring advanced exploitation capabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive threat modeling that considers local attack vectors, particularly in mobile environments where physical security is often compromised. The flaw essentially creates a situation where the security of the encryption system is undermined by the insecure handling of authentication credentials, demonstrating how a single design flaw can compromise an entire security solution. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of implementing proper secure coding practices, including the use of secure memory management techniques and the application of cryptographic protections to sensitive data even when it is temporarily stored in volatile memory.