CVE-2007-1263 in GPGME
Summary
by MITRE
GnuPG 1.4.6 and earlier and GPGME before 1.1.4, when run from the command line, does not visually distinguish signed and unsigned portions of OpenPGP messages with multiple components, which might allow remote attackers to forge the contents of a message without detection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1263 represents a significant security flaw in the OpenPGP implementation within GnuPG and GPGME software ecosystems. This issue affects versions of GnuPG prior to 1.4.7 and GPGME versions before 1.1.4, creating a critical gap in message integrity verification that could be exploited by malicious actors. The core problem lies in the visual presentation of OpenPGP messages containing multiple components, where the software fails to provide clear visual distinction between signed and unsigned portions of messages, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate content without detection by users.
The technical flaw stems from the insufficient user interface design in command-line versions of these cryptographic tools. When processing OpenPGP messages that contain both signed and unsigned components, the software does not employ visual indicators to differentiate between these sections, creating ambiguity that adversaries can exploit. This particular vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper visual distinction, and specifically relates to the lack of proper user feedback mechanisms in cryptographic verification processes. The absence of clear visual cues means that users cannot reliably determine which portions of a message have been authenticated through digital signatures versus those that remain unverified.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple message forgery, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that OpenPGP is designed to establish. Attackers can potentially insert unsigned content into signed messages without users being able to detect the manipulation, creating a false sense of security among recipients who may believe they are receiving authenticated content. This weakness particularly affects scenarios where users rely on command-line interfaces for cryptographic operations, as the visual presentation lacks the clarity needed for proper verification. The vulnerability creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks and content tampering where attackers can seamlessly integrate malicious unsigned data into otherwise legitimate signed communications.
Organizations and individuals using affected versions of GnuPG and GPGME should immediately upgrade to patched versions to mitigate this risk. The recommended remediation involves updating to GnuPG 1.4.7 or later and GPGME 1.1.4 or later, which implement proper visual distinction mechanisms for signed and unsigned message components. Security practitioners should also consider implementing additional verification procedures and user training to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper user interface design in cryptographic systems, where visual presentation directly impacts security outcomes. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected software versions and implement comprehensive patch management programs to ensure all cryptographic tools maintain current security standards. This issue highlights the broader ATT&CK technique of privilege escalation through social engineering, where the manipulation of user perception through visual deception can lead to security breaches that bypass traditional technical controls.