CVE-2007-3069 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE
xscreensaver in Sun Solaris 10 before 20070604, when a GNOME session with Assistive Technology support is running, allows attackers with physical access to take control of the session after entering an Alt-Tab sequence.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3069 represents a significant security flaw in the xscreensaver implementation within Sun Solaris 10 operating systems prior to the 20070604 patch release. This weakness specifically manifests when a GNOME desktop session is active with Assistive Technology support enabled, creating an exploitable condition that compromises session integrity and user authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in how the screensaver handles keyboard input sequences, particularly the Alt-Tab combination that users routinely employ for desktop navigation. The security implications are particularly severe given that the attack vector requires only physical access to the target system, eliminating the need for network-based exploitation or sophisticated social engineering techniques.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of keyboard input events within the xscreensaver component when operating in conjunction with GNOME's Assistive Technology framework. When a user performs the Alt-Tab sequence, the system's input processing mechanism fails to properly validate or authenticate the sequence, allowing an attacker to manipulate the session state without proper authorization. This flaw specifically affects the authentication flow that should normally require valid user credentials or session-specific authorization before permitting access to desktop resources. The vulnerability operates at the desktop environment level rather than at the kernel or system-level, making it particularly challenging to detect and mitigate through traditional security controls. This behavior aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in session management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data compromise and system control. An attacker with physical access can effectively hijack active user sessions, potentially gaining access to sensitive information, executing unauthorized commands, or maintaining persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal skill and resources, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security controls may be inadequate or where users frequently leave their workstations unattended. The fact that this vulnerability specifically affects systems with Assistive Technology support suggests that the flaw may be related to how accessibility features interact with security mechanisms, potentially creating additional attack surfaces that are often overlooked during security assessments. This vulnerability directly impacts the security posture of enterprise environments where users may have varying levels of accessibility requirements and where physical security measures may not adequately protect against determined attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment to ensure that all affected Sun Solaris 10 systems receive the 20070604 security update or subsequent releases that address the xscreensaver implementation. Organizations should also implement additional physical security controls including mandatory screen locking after periods of inactivity, enforced use of strong authentication mechanisms, and regular security awareness training for users regarding the risks of leaving systems unattended. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that network-based solutions alone will not adequately protect against this threat, as the attack requires only local physical access. System administrators should consider implementing automated session management policies that enforce stricter access controls and monitor for unusual input patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their desktop environment configurations to ensure that Assistive Technology features are properly secured and that unnecessary accessibility options are disabled when not required. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes integration testing of desktop environments and accessibility features, as these components often contain security flaws that are not thoroughly tested during standard security assessments. The ATT&CK framework classification for this vulnerability would include techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through local system manipulation, highlighting the need for layered security approaches that address both network and physical security threats.