CVE-2004-0838 in Jumpdrive Secure
Summary
by MITRE
Lexar Safe Guard for JumpDrive Secure 1.0 stores the password insecurely in memory using XOR encryption, which allows local users to read the password directly from the device and access the password protected part of the drive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0838 represents a critical security flaw in Lexar Safe Guard for JumpDrive Secure 1.0 software, which is designed to provide encryption and access control for portable storage devices. This vulnerability stems from a fundamental weakness in how the software handles password storage and encryption mechanisms, creating a significant risk for users who rely on the device for sensitive data protection. The flaw specifically affects the memory handling procedures of the encryption software, where passwords are stored using a method that provides minimal security protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of XOR encryption for password storage in memory, which constitutes a severe cryptographic weakness that violates established security principles. XOR encryption, when used as a standalone method for password storage, provides no meaningful protection against determined attackers who can directly read memory contents. This approach essentially transforms the encryption into a simple obfuscation technique rather than proper cryptographic protection, making it trivial for local users to extract the password from memory. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in encryption implementations, specifically focusing on the use of insecure or weak encryption algorithms for sensitive data storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the entire encryption system. Local users who gain access to the device can bypass all security measures and directly access the password-protected portions of the drive without any authentication requirements. This creates a scenario where the device's primary security function becomes completely ineffective, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of data stored on the device, as attackers can not only read protected files but may also modify or delete them without detection. This represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how inadequate security implementation can completely compromise the security of an entire system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying design flaws in the encryption implementation. System administrators and users should immediately disable or uninstall the vulnerable software until a proper security patch is available, as the device cannot be trusted for secure data storage. The recommended approach involves implementing stronger encryption methods that use proper cryptographic algorithms such as AES or other industry-standard encryption protocols for password storage and memory handling. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as device encryption policies, access controls, and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following established security frameworks and standards, including those recommended by NIST and other security organizations, to ensure that encryption implementations meet minimum security requirements and do not introduce new attack vectors through poor implementation choices. The incident serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple security features like password storage require careful cryptographic design and implementation to prevent trivial exploitation by local users.