CVE-2008-7320 in Seahorse
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** GNOME Seahorse through 3.30 allows physically proximate attackers to read plaintext passwords by using the quickAllow dialog at an unattended workstation, if the keyring is unlocked. NOTE: this is disputed by a software maintainer because the behavior represents a design decision.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-7320 relates to the GNOME Seahorse password management system, which is part of the GNOME desktop environment's keyring subsystem. This issue affects versions through 3.30 and presents a security risk when an unattended workstation is within physical proximity of an attacker. The core flaw manifests through the quickAllow dialog functionality that enables automatic password retrieval without requiring user authentication. When a user has unlocked their keyring at an unattended workstation, the system's design allows for immediate access to stored passwords through this quickAllow mechanism. This represents a significant security concern because it bypasses normal authentication procedures that would typically be required to access sensitive credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the design decision to provide quick access to password storage systems for convenience purposes. The quickAllow dialog operates under the assumption that if a user has already unlocked their keyring, they intend to grant immediate access to stored credentials without additional verification steps. This design choice creates a window of opportunity for attackers who can physically approach the workstation and exploit the unlocked keyring state. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication flow within the GNOME keyring system, where the system fails to enforce additional security checks when credentials are accessed through the quickAllow interface. This behavior aligns with CWE-284 access control vulnerabilities, where insufficient access controls allow unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to represent a broader security risk in unattended computing environments. Attackers with physical access to an unlocked workstation can immediately retrieve stored passwords without needing to perform complex attacks or exploit additional system vulnerabilities. This threat is particularly concerning in shared or public computing environments where unattended workstations are common. The vulnerability demonstrates how convenience features in security systems can inadvertently create attack vectors that compromise the overall security posture. Organizations relying on GNOME Seahorse for password management face potential data breaches when users leave their workstations unlocked and unattended. The security implications are significant because this attack requires minimal skill or resources, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security controls are insufficient.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing additional authentication layers beyond simple keyring unlocking. System administrators should enforce policies requiring users to lock their workstations when stepping away from their computers, regardless of whether the keyring is unlocked. The GNOME desktop environment should be configured to disable or restrict the quickAllow functionality in environments where physical security cannot be guaranteed. Organizations should consider implementing automatic screen locking after periods of inactivity, and ensure that users understand the security implications of leaving workstations unlocked. The vulnerability highlights the importance of balancing usability with security, as the quickAllow feature was designed to improve user experience but inadvertently created security risks. This issue demonstrates how security controls must be carefully designed to prevent attackers from exploiting legitimate system functionality, and represents a classic example of how user convenience can compromise security in unattended environments. The dispute from the software maintainer regarding this vulnerability underscores the complexity of security design decisions and the need for comprehensive threat modeling that accounts for physical security considerations.