CVE-2003-0406 in PalmVNC
Summary
by MITRE
PalmVNC 1.40 and earlier stores passwords in plaintext in the PalmVNCDB, which is backed up to PCs that the Palm is synchronized with, which could allow attackers to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0406 represents a critical security flaw in PalmVNC 1.40 and earlier versions that fundamentally compromises authentication security through improper credential storage practices. This vulnerability resides in the PalmVNC database management system where user authentication credentials are stored in plain text format rather than being encrypted or hashed. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous because PalmVNC databases are automatically synchronized with personal computers through standard Palm synchronization protocols, creating an unintended attack surface that exposes sensitive authentication information to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a fundamental failure in secure credential handling within the PalmVNC application architecture. When users configure remote desktop connections through PalmVNC, their passwords are written directly to the PalmVNCDB file without any form of cryptographic protection or obfuscation. This plaintext storage approach violates established security principles and creates a persistent exposure point that remains accessible to anyone who gains access to the synchronized device or the backup files. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-259, which addresses the storage of passwords in a reversible format, and CWE-312, concerning the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate scope of the PalmVNC application, creating widespread security implications for users who rely on Palm devices for remote access management. Attackers who gain access to a user's synchronized Palm device or the backup files created during synchronization can directly extract authentication credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where attackers can assume the identity of legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to remote systems, networks, or services that were protected by the compromised PalmVNC credentials. The vulnerability effectively undermines the authentication security model of the entire PalmVNC ecosystem, as the protection mechanism becomes inherently compromised through the backup process.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significantly expanded by the synchronization capabilities inherent in Palm computing environments, which are designed for data integration across multiple devices and platforms. When Palm devices synchronize with personal computers through standard Palm synchronization protocols, the PalmVNCDB file is automatically transferred and stored on the host system, creating multiple potential access points for attackers. This synchronization process, while intended to provide convenience and data backup functionality, inadvertently creates a security weakness by propagating plaintext credentials to additional systems that may have different security postures and access controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003, which covers credential access through the use of stolen or compromised credentials, and represents a clear example of how backup and synchronization processes can create security weaknesses rather than provide protection.
Organizations and individual users affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to PalmVNC versions that address the plaintext storage issue, implementing additional network-level security controls, and establishing more robust credential management practices. The recommended mitigation strategy involves transitioning to encrypted credential storage mechanisms, implementing network segmentation to limit access to synchronized devices, and establishing regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Additionally, users should consider alternative remote access solutions that implement proper cryptographic protection for authentication credentials and avoid relying on synchronization protocols that may inadvertently expose sensitive information to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure credential handling and the potential risks associated with backup and synchronization processes in mobile computing environments.