CVE-2013-0240 in Gnome Online Accounts
Summary
by MITRE
Gnome Online Accounts (GOA) 3.4.x, 3.6.x before 3.6.3, and 3.7.x before 3.7.5, does not properly validate SSL certificates when creating accounts such as Windows Live and Facebook accounts, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information such as credentials by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0240 affects Gnome Online Accounts version 3.4.x through 3.6.2 and 3.7.x through 3.7.4, representing a critical security flaw in the desktop environment's account management system. This issue stems from insufficient SSL certificate validation during the account creation process for online services including Windows Live and Facebook. The vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that allows malicious actors to execute man-in-the-middle attacks without proper authentication or encryption verification.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of SSL certificates when establishing connections to online services through the Gnome Online Accounts framework. This weakness specifically impacts the certificate verification process during account setup, where the system fails to adequately check certificate authenticity and trust chains. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, exploiting the trust relationship between the desktop client and remote authentication servers. According to CWE-295, this represents a failure in certificate validation, specifically CWE-295-10, which deals with improper certificate validation in network communications. The flaw allows attackers to intercept and manipulate network traffic between the client and service providers without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to capture authentication tokens and session data during account configuration processes. When users attempt to add or configure online accounts through the Gnome desktop environment, the lack of proper SSL validation creates opportunities for attackers to present fraudulent certificates and establish unauthorized communication channels. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users may configure accounts on potentially unsecured networks, and it enables attackers to harvest sensitive information including usernames, passwords, and service-specific authentication tokens. The attack vector operates through network sniffing capabilities that allow adversaries to monitor traffic on shared networks or through compromised network infrastructure.
The security implications of CVE-2013-0240 align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through phishing and network sniffing attacks. This vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a pre-authentication foothold that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms, allowing for the interception of account creation data before proper encryption is established. The flaw particularly impacts the Gnome desktop environment's security posture and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as users may unknowingly establish connections with malicious intermediaries. Organizations using affected versions of Gnome Online Accounts face increased risk of credential compromise and potential account takeover scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper certificate validation in client-server communications and highlights the need for robust security measures in desktop environment components that handle sensitive authentication data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Gnome Online Accounts version 3.6.3 or 3.7.5, which contain the necessary certificate validation fixes. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks, particularly during account configuration activities. Organizations should also consider implementing additional network security controls such as encrypted network segments and traffic inspection tools to detect and prevent unauthorized certificate interception. The fix addresses the underlying certificate validation logic and ensures proper verification of SSL certificates before establishing secure connections to online services. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be enforced to maintain protection against similar vulnerabilities in desktop environment components.