CVE-2013-1853 in Almanah
Summary
by MITRE
Almanah Diary 0.9.0 and 0.10.0 does not encrypt the database when closed, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1853 affects Almanah Diary versions 0.9.0 and 0.10.0, representing a critical security flaw in how the application handles data persistence and confidentiality. This issue falls under the category of insufficient encryption at rest, which is classified as CWE-310 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly encrypt sensitive user data stored in its database upon closing the program, creating an exploitable condition that compromises the confidentiality of personal information.
The technical flaw stems from the application's improper handling of database encryption during application shutdown processes. When Almanah Diary closes, it does not implement proper encryption mechanisms to protect the stored data, leaving sensitive information in plaintext format on the filesystem. This design oversight creates a persistent vulnerability that allows any local user with access to the system to directly read and extract confidential data from the database files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level rather than requiring network access or complex exploitation techniques, making it readily accessible to attackers with local system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables unauthorized access to personal diary entries, private notes, and other sensitive information that users trust the application to protect. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply accessing the database files directly, bypassing any application-level authentication or access controls that might otherwise protect the data. This creates a significant risk for users who store confidential personal information in the diary application, potentially exposing sensitive details about their lives, relationships, or activities. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security principle of data confidentiality and can lead to privacy violations, identity theft, or other serious consequences depending on the nature of the stored information.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves the exploitation of unencrypted data storage to gain access to sensitive information. The attack surface is minimized to local system access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or shared computing systems where unauthorized users might gain access to the target machine. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper encryption at rest for all sensitive data stored by the application, ensuring that database files are encrypted regardless of the application's operational state. Additionally, security measures should include regular security audits of data handling practices, implementation of automatic encryption mechanisms during data persistence, and user education regarding the importance of protecting local system access. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of applying security by design principles and demonstrates how seemingly simple oversights in data protection can create significant security risks for end users.