CVE-2004-0701 in Ray Server Software
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Ray Server Software (SRSS) 1.3 and 2.0 for Solaris 2.6, 7 and 8 does not properly detect a smartcard removal when the card is quickly removed, reinserted, and removed again, which could cause a user session to stay logged in and allow local users to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0701 affects Sun Ray Server Software versions 1.3 and 2.0 running on Solaris 2.6, 7, and 8 operating systems. This security flaw resides in the smartcard authentication mechanism of the Sun Ray Server Software, which is designed to provide secure remote desktop access to enterprise environments. The vulnerability specifically impacts the software's ability to properly monitor and respond to smartcard physical state changes, creating a significant security risk in environments where physical security is paramount. The issue stems from inadequate state management within the smartcard detection subsystem, which fails to accurately track card removal events when users perform rapid insertion and removal sequences.
The technical flaw manifests when a user quickly removes a smartcard from the reader, reinserts it, and then removes it again in rapid succession. Under normal circumstances, the system should detect each removal event and terminate the user session accordingly. However, due to the flawed state detection logic, the software fails to properly register the second removal event, leaving the user session active and authenticated. This behavior creates a persistent security vulnerability where unauthorized individuals can potentially gain access to active user sessions without proper authentication. The flaw operates at the operating system level within the smartcard subsystem, specifically affecting the event handling and state transition mechanisms that govern how the system responds to physical smartcard changes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a fundamental failure in the authentication lifecycle management. Local users who understand this vulnerability can exploit it to maintain access to other users' sessions, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, applications, and system resources. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles of authentication and session management, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and data breaches. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Sun Ray systems are deployed for secure remote access, as it undermines the entire security model that relies on smartcard-based authentication. The issue affects both versions 1.3 and 2.0 of the software, indicating a persistent flaw in the codebase that was not adequately addressed in the security updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected Sun Ray Server Software versions, as well as implementing additional security controls to compensate for the flaw. Organizations should consider implementing session timeout mechanisms, monitoring for unauthorized session access, and establishing strict physical security controls around smartcard readers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-306, which covers missing authentication. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based monitoring solutions to detect anomalous session behavior and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing smartcard-related authentication failures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper state management in security-sensitive systems and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases in authentication mechanisms.