CVE-2008-2235 in OpenSC
Summary
by MITRE
OpenSC before 0.11.5 uses weak permissions (ADMIN file control information of 00) for the 5015 directory on smart cards and USB crypto tokens running Siemens CardOS M4, which allows physically proximate attackers to change the PIN.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2235 represents a critical access control flaw in the OpenSC smart card framework version 0.11.4 and earlier. This issue specifically affects smart cards and USB crypto tokens operating on Siemens CardOS M4 operating systems where the 5015 directory is configured with overly permissive administrative file control information set to 00. The weakness stems from improper permission handling during smart card initialization and directory creation processes, creating a security gap that enables unauthorized modification of sensitive authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the misconfiguration of file control information within the CardOS M4 environment where the 5015 directory, which typically contains critical smart card data structures, is created with administrative permissions set to 00. This value represents the most permissive access level in the CardOS security model, effectively granting full administrative privileges to any entity with physical access to the device. The flaw manifests when the OpenSC framework fails to properly enforce access controls during smart card operations, allowing attackers to exploit this misconfiguration through direct physical interaction with the device.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on smart card authentication systems for security purposes. The attack vector requires only physical proximity to the target device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where smart cards are used for access control, digital signatures, or secure communications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to change PINs without authorization, potentially gaining complete control over the smart card's functionality and compromising the entire authentication infrastructure built around these devices.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper file permissions, and demonstrates how weak access control mechanisms can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized system modification. This weakness also maps to ATT&CK technique T1550.001, which covers use of valid accounts through legitimate authentication methods, as attackers can effectively bypass authentication mechanisms by modifying the underlying PIN structures. Organizations using OpenSC with Siemens CardOS M4 devices face potential compromise of sensitive data, unauthorized access to protected systems, and complete loss of trust in their smart card-based authentication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrade to OpenSC version 0.11.5 or later, which addresses the permission handling issue through proper file control information management. Additionally, organizations should implement physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to smart card devices, conduct regular security assessments of smart card systems, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized PIN modifications. System administrators should also review and enforce proper access control policies for smart card directories, ensuring that administrative permissions are appropriately restricted and that regular security audits verify correct implementation of file control information settings.