CVE-2005-0131 in Konversation
Summary
by MITRE
The Quick Connection dialog in Konversation 0.15 inadvertently uses the user-provided password as the nickname instead of the user-provided nickname when connecting to the IRC server, which could leak the password to other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2019
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2005-0131 represents a critical security flaw within the Konversation IRC client version 0.15 where the Quick Connection dialog fails to properly validate and separate user input fields. This issue stems from a fundamental design error in the application's user interface logic where the system incorrectly maps the password field to the nickname field during the connection process. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and data handling that violates security best practices for authentication mechanisms.
This vulnerability operates through a straightforward yet dangerous mechanism where users enter their nickname and password in separate fields within the Quick Connection dialog. When the connection attempt is made, the application's internal processing routine incorrectly transfers the password value into the nickname field, causing the password to be transmitted to the IRC server as the user identifier. This misconfiguration creates an unintentional disclosure channel where authentication credentials are exposed to other users on the network, potentially allowing attackers to intercept and misuse these credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential leakage, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of IRC communication channels. When a user's password is transmitted as a nickname, it creates a situation where other users on the same server can potentially observe this information through various IRC protocol mechanisms, including server messages, channel logs, or direct user queries. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in authentication contexts. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1552, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and demonstrates how insecure credential handling can lead to unauthorized access.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in environments where multiple users share the same IRC network, as it creates opportunities for credential harvesting and session hijacking attacks. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to unauthorized channel access, message manipulation, or even complete account compromise. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on IRC for communication, as compromised credentials can be used to infiltrate sensitive discussions or gain access to restricted channels. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and field validation in client applications, particularly those handling authentication data. Organizations should immediately implement patches or updates to address this vulnerability, and users should be advised to avoid using the Quick Connection dialog until the application is properly updated. The incident highlights the critical need for security testing during software development phases, particularly for applications handling sensitive user data, and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in network communication clients.