CVE-2005-4771 in Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Trusted Mobility Agent PC Policy in Trust Digital Trusted Mobility Suite provides a cancel button that bypasses the domain-authentication prompt, which allows local users to sync a handheld (PDA) device despite a policy setting that sync is unauthorized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2015
The Trusted Mobility Agent PC Policy within Trust Digital's Trusted Mobility Suite contains a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of device synchronization controls. This vulnerability specifically affects handheld devices such as PDAs that attempt to synchronize with desktop computers through the trusted mobility framework. The flaw manifests in the form of a cancel button that provides an unauthorized bypass mechanism, allowing local users to circumvent domain authentication requirements that should prevent unauthorized synchronization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the policy enforcement system. When a user attempts to synchronize a PDA device, the system should enforce domain authentication protocols that verify the user's authorization level before permitting synchronization. However, the presence of an accessible cancel button creates an unintended path that allows local users to bypass these authentication checks entirely. This design flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and access control enforcement.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations relying on trusted mobility solutions. Local users who should be restricted from synchronizing devices can exploit this bypass to transfer data between their PDA and desktop systems without proper authentication. This capability can lead to unauthorized data exfiltration, potential malware introduction, and violation of corporate security policies that govern device synchronization. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where device control and data protection are mandatory.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-668 (Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) as it demonstrates how a legitimate user interface element becomes a vector for unauthorized access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as it enables local privilege escalation through interface manipulation rather than traditional credential theft methods. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the problematic cancel button functionality, enforcing stricter policy controls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of mobility management systems.
Security administrators should consider updating to patched versions of the Trust Digital Trusted Mobility Suite where available, while implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized synchronization attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough security testing for user interface elements, particularly those that provide bypass mechanisms or alternative pathways through security controls. Organizations should also review their overall device management policies to ensure that synchronization controls are properly enforced and that local users cannot circumvent authentication requirements through interface manipulation.