CVE-2008-4540 in Windows Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
Windows Mobile 6 on the HTC Hermes device makes WLAN passwords available to an auto-completion mechanism for the password input field, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass password authentication and obtain WLAN access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2017
This vulnerability exists in Windows Mobile 6 operating system specifically on HTC Hermes devices where the wireless local area network authentication process suffers from a critical flaw in the password input field handling. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of an auto-completion mechanism that inadvertently exposes stored WLAN passwords to unauthorized users who are physically proximate to the device. The technical flaw lies in the operating system's failure to properly isolate sensitive authentication data from auto-complete functionality, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that directly impacts the security of wireless network access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to bypass the standard password authentication mechanism entirely without requiring any network access or advanced exploitation techniques. An attacker merely needs physical proximity to the device to access the stored WLAN credentials through the auto-completion feature, which represents a fundamental breach of the authentication process. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates a backdoor access method that bypasses all normal security controls, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security cannot be guaranteed.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with poor secure coding practices in the password handling subsystem. The attack vector falls under the ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting credential access through physical proximity attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in the device's user interface security model where the convenience feature of auto-completion becomes a security risk, highlighting the importance of proper input sanitization and secure credential handling in mobile operating systems.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on disabling or properly configuring the auto-completion feature for password fields, implementing stronger physical security measures for mobile devices, and ensuring that wireless network credentials are stored using appropriate encryption mechanisms. System administrators should consider implementing device management policies that prevent the storage of sensitive network credentials in easily accessible locations, while device manufacturers need to improve their security models to properly isolate authentication data from convenience features. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of user interface components, particularly those handling sensitive information, to prevent similar issues in future mobile operating system implementations.