CVE-2013-2120 in Paste Applet
Summary
by MITRE
The %{password(...)} macro in pastemacroexpander.cpp in the KDE Paste Applet before 4.10.5 in kdeplasma-addons does not properly generate passwords, which allows context-dependent attackers to bypass authentication via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2120 resides within the KDE Paste Applet component of the KDE Plasma Addons package, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.10.5. This security flaw is classified under CWE-330 as the use of insufficiently random values, and represents a critical weakness in the password generation mechanism that undermines the security of authentication systems. The issue manifests in the pastemacroexpander.cpp file where the %{password(...)} macro fails to produce cryptographically secure random values, creating predictable password sequences that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inadequate random number generation algorithm used within the KDE Paste Applet's macro expansion functionality. When users attempt to generate passwords through the paste macro functionality, the system produces passwords that lack proper entropy and randomness characteristics. This flaw enables attackers to perform brute-force attacks against the generated passwords, as the predictable nature of the generated values significantly reduces the effective password strength. The vulnerability is context-dependent because it requires an attacker to have access to the system where the paste applet is installed and to be able to monitor or intercept the password generation process.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2120 extends beyond simple password guessing, as it fundamentally compromises the authentication security model of systems utilizing the affected KDE Paste Applet. Attackers can systematically test potential password values, dramatically reducing the time and computational resources required to gain unauthorized access to systems that rely on these generated passwords. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for Brute Force: Password Guessing, where the predictable nature of the generated passwords makes traditional brute-force approaches exponentially more effective. The weakness creates a persistent security risk for organizations that depend on KDE Plasma environments for their desktop computing infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected KDE Plasma Addons installations to version 4.10.5 or later, which contains the corrected password generation algorithm. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including multi-factor authentication, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and regular security assessments of desktop environments. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patched version maintains proper functionality while addressing the cryptographic weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based controls such as account lockout policies and intrusion detection systems to provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper random number generation in security-sensitive applications and the necessity of adhering to established cryptographic standards for password creation mechanisms.