CVE-2004-1171 in KDE
Summary
by MITRE
kde 3.2.x and 3.3.0 through 3.3.2 when saving credentials that are (1) manually entered by the user or (2) created by the smb protocol handler stores those credentials for plaintext in the user s .desktop file which may be created with world-readable permissions which could allow local users to obtain usernames and passwords for remote resources such as smb shares.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1171 represents a critical security flaw in the KDE desktop environment versions 3.2.x through 3.3.2 that fundamentally compromises credential storage security. This issue arises from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the KDE desktop environment, specifically when users manually enter credentials or when the smb protocol handler automatically creates authentication entries. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in credential management where sensitive authentication data is stored in plain text format within user configuration files, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond the immediate application context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the desktop environment's failure to properly encrypt or obfuscate authentication credentials before storing them in .desktop files. These files are typically used to define desktop entries and application launch parameters, but in this case they serve as insecure credential repositories. When users interact with SMB shares through KDE applications, the system automatically generates .desktop files containing the username and password information in clear text format. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when these files are created with world-readable permissions, which was a common default configuration in many KDE installations during this period. This configuration allows any local user on the system to access these files and extract the stored credentials without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to remote network resources including file shares, printers, and other SMB-enabled services. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires no network connectivity or external exploitation, relying entirely on local system access and the presence of improperly configured .desktop files. This vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but also enterprise environments where multiple users share systems, as any local user with access to the system can potentially extract credentials from other users' .desktop files. The scope of impact includes any system running affected KDE versions that handles SMB authentication, making it a widespread concern across various deployment scenarios from personal computers to corporate workstations.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices for credential management. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under credential access tactics, specifically targeting the collection of stored credentials through local system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, as it allows any local user to access authentication data that should remain protected. Organizations and system administrators should implement immediate mitigations including restricting permissions on .desktop files, disabling automatic credential storage for SMB protocols, and ensuring proper file access controls are enforced. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and the need for proper credential management practices that prevent sensitive data from being stored in easily accessible formats. The remediation approach should include updating to patched versions of KDE, implementing mandatory access controls on credential storage locations, and establishing security policies that prevent the creation of world-readable authentication files.