CVE-2007-1191 in Del.icio.us Module
Summary
by MITRE
The Social Bookmarks (del.icio.us) plug-in 8F in Quicksilver writes usernames and passwords in plaintext to the /Library/Logs/Console/UID/Console.log file, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading this file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1191 represents a critical security flaw in the Social Bookmarks (del.icio.us) plug-in version 8F within Quicksilver, a macOS application designed for automation and system integration. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication credentials during the plugin's operation, creating an exploitable condition that compromises user security. The vulnerability specifically affects systems running macOS where Quicksilver is installed with the vulnerable plug-in component, making it accessible to local attackers who can leverage the exposed credentials for unauthorized access to del.icio.us accounts and potentially other interconnected services.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the plug-in's insecure logging mechanism that stores authentication credentials in plaintext format within the system's console log file. When the del.icio.us plug-in executes its functions, it inadvertently writes both usernames and passwords to the designated log path at /Library/Logs/Console/UID/Console.log without implementing any form of encryption or obfuscation. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent exposure window where sensitive information remains accessible to any local user with read permissions to the log file. The vulnerability manifests as a direct information disclosure issue that can be exploited through simple file system access operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential theft, potentially enabling attackers to perform account takeovers, access personal bookmarks, and leverage stolen credentials for further attacks within the compromised environment. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this weakness by simply reading the console log file, which requires no special permissions or advanced exploitation techniques. The plaintext storage of credentials creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the system is rebooted or the log file is manually cleared, providing attackers with extended opportunities for exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects users who rely on Quicksilver for automated tasks and may have configured the del.icio.us plugin with sensitive account information.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a classic example of insecure data handling practices that violate security best practices established by industry standards. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a credential access technique under T1555 (Credentials from Password Stores), where adversaries can obtain credentials through information discovery and access to stored data. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape that includes poor credential management practices and insufficient input validation in third-party applications. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in application components can create significant security risks when combined with improper access controls and logging practices.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Quicksilver application to remove or correct the vulnerable plug-in, implementing proper access controls on log file directories to restrict read permissions, and establishing secure credential handling practices within applications. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of installed applications and their logging mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities across the enterprise environment. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of credential management and the risks associated with storing authentication information in insecure locations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input/output handling in preventing information disclosure attacks that can compromise user privacy and system security.