CVE-2009-2260 in stardict
Summary
by MITRE
stardict 3.0.1, when Enable Net Dict is configured, sends the contents of the clipboard to a dictionary server, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2260 affects stardict version 3.0.1, a popular dictionary application that provides both local and network-based dictionary lookup capabilities. When the "Enable Net Dict" feature is activated, the application establishes a network connection to remote dictionary servers to perform lookups. This configuration creates a security risk because the application automatically transmits clipboard contents to these remote servers without proper sanitization or user consent, potentially exposing sensitive information that users have copied to their clipboard.
The technical flaw resides in the application's improper handling of clipboard data within the network dictionary lookup functionality. The stardict application fails to implement proper input validation or data sanitization before transmitting clipboard contents to remote servers. This design oversight creates an information disclosure vulnerability where any text content present in the user's clipboard at the time of a dictionary lookup operation gets transmitted over the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because clipboard contents often contain sensitive information such as passwords, personal identification numbers, confidential documents, or proprietary data that users expect to remain private.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks when using stardict with network dictionary features enabled. Remote attackers who can monitor network traffic or have access to the dictionary servers can intercept and extract clipboard contents that were transmitted during dictionary lookups. This threat vector aligns with common network-based attacks and represents a form of passive information gathering that can lead to credential theft, intellectual property exposure, or other privacy violations. The vulnerability affects any user who has enabled the network dictionary feature and has sensitive data in their clipboard, making it a widespread concern for users in environments where network monitoring is possible.
The security implications of this vulnerability can be analyzed through the lens of CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and CWE-312, which covers cleartext storage of sensitive information. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1557.001, which covers "Adversary-in-the-Middle: DNS Cache Poisoning" and T1557.002, "Adversary-in-the-Middle: ARP Cache Poisoning," as attackers can exploit network monitoring capabilities to intercept transmitted data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles where sensitive data flows are not properly controlled or protected during transmission. Organizations using stardict in enterprise environments should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating applications that handle sensitive user data and maintain network connectivity. The recommended mitigation includes disabling the network dictionary feature when sensitive information is present in the clipboard, updating to patched versions of stardict, or implementing network monitoring solutions to detect and prevent such unauthorized data transmission.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper data handling in client applications that connect to remote services. The issue represents a failure to implement secure coding practices around data transmission and user privacy protection. The design flaw allows for automatic data transmission without user awareness or consent, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and user control. The vulnerability also demonstrates how seemingly benign features can create security risks when not properly secured, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of all application functionalities, particularly those involving network communication and data handling.