CVE-2008-3898 in DriveCrypt Plus Pack
Summary
by MITRE
Secu Star DriveCrypt Plus Pack 3.9 stores pre-boot authentication passwords in the BIOS Keyboard buffer and does not clear this buffer before and after use, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the physical memory locations associated with this buffer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3898 affects Secu Star DriveCrypt Plus Pack version 3.9, a disk encryption software solution that implements pre-boot authentication mechanisms. This flaw resides in the software's handling of authentication credentials during the system boot process, specifically within the interaction between the encryption software and the system's BIOS keyboard buffer. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the software's security design, as it fails to properly manage sensitive credential storage and retrieval processes that occur before the operating system fully initializes.
The technical flaw manifests when the encryption software utilizes the BIOS keyboard buffer to store authentication passwords during pre-boot authentication phases. This buffer, which is typically used to temporarily hold keystrokes during system boot, is not properly cleared by the software before and after password entry operations. The failure to clear this buffer creates a persistent memory footprint that contains sensitive authentication information. Attackers with local access to the system can exploit this weakness by examining physical memory locations where the keyboard buffer resides, potentially recovering stored passwords through memory inspection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of pre-boot authentication systems. Local attackers with physical access to the machine can recover authentication credentials that should remain protected throughout the boot process, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. This weakness enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to encrypted volumes without proper authentication, potentially compromising the entire system's data protection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level where traditional operating system security controls may not be fully effective, making it difficult to detect and prevent.
Security researchers have categorized this vulnerability under CWE-256, which addresses the issue of storing passwords in a reversible format, and potentially CWE-312, concerning the exposure of sensitive information through improper clearing of memory buffers. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1003.001 for OS credential dumping and T1014 for rootkit detection evasion. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the software's trust model, where the system assumes that the BIOS keyboard buffer can be safely used for credential storage without proper memory management protocols. Organizations using this software should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing additional physical security measures, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts during boot processes.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper memory management in security-critical systems, particularly those operating at the pre-boot level where traditional security controls may not be fully effective. This flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization and memory clearing practices that can lead to credential exposure in systems designed to protect sensitive information. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of pre-boot authentication mechanisms and proper handling of sensitive data at all system levels, from hardware to application layers.