CVE-2002-2409 in Neutrino
Summary
by MITRE
Photon microGUI in QNX Neutrino realtime operating system (RTOS) 6.1.0 and 6.2.0 allows attackers to read user clipboard information via a direct request to the 1.TEXT file in a directory whose name is a hex-encoded user ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2409 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Photon microGUI component of QNX Neutrino RTOS versions 6.1.0 and 6.2.0. This issue stems from improper access controls and insecure file handling mechanisms that allow unauthorized parties to gain access to sensitive user clipboard data through direct file system manipulation. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where Photon microGUI is implemented as the graphical user interface framework, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the underlying file system structure to access clipboard information. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges and leverages the predictable naming conventions used by the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file paths and directory structures within the Photon microGUI framework. The system utilizes hex-encoded user IDs as directory names, which creates a predictable pattern that attackers can exploit to locate and access clipboard data files. When a user interacts with the clipboard functionality, the system stores this information in a file named 1.TEXT within a directory structure that corresponds to the user's hex-encoded identifier. This design flaw allows attackers to bypass normal access controls by directly requesting these files through the file system interface rather than through proper application programming interfaces. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22 which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise user privacy and system security. Clipboard information often contains sensitive data such as passwords, personal identification numbers, confidential documents, and other proprietary information that users might have copied to their clipboard for legitimate purposes. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to this data without requiring authentication or authorization, effectively undermining the security model of the operating system. The implications are particularly severe in environments where QNX Neutrino RTOS is used for critical infrastructure, medical devices, automotive systems, or industrial control systems where such information disclosure could lead to significant operational disruptions or security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2409 should focus on implementing proper access controls and file system restrictions within the Photon microGUI framework. System administrators should ensure that all QNX Neutrino installations are updated to versions that address this vulnerability, as the original affected versions 6.1.0 and 6.2.0 contain fundamental flaws in their file access mechanisms. The implementation of proper file permissions and directory access controls can help prevent unauthorized access to clipboard data files, while the use of secure coding practices in the Photon microGUI component can eliminate the predictable file naming patterns that enable this attack. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized file system access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and credential access categories, where attackers can leverage insecure file handling to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations using QNX Neutrino RTOS should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their systems and implement robust access control measures to protect against such information disclosure attacks.