CVE-2013-7252 in Applications
Summary
by MITRE
kwalletd in KWallet before KDE Applications 14.12.0 uses Blowfish with ECB mode instead of CBC mode when encrypting the password store, which makes it easier for attackers to guess passwords via a codebook attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7252 affects the kwalletd component within KDE Applications versions prior to 14.12.0, specifically targeting the cryptographic implementation used for password storage encryption. This weakness stems from the improper use of the Blowfish encryption algorithm in Electronic Codebook (ECB) mode rather than the more secure Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) mode. The ECB mode encryption approach processes each data block independently without any chaining mechanism, creating predictable patterns that significantly weaken the overall security posture of the encrypted password store.
The technical flaw in this implementation creates a fundamental weakness that directly relates to CWE-327, which addresses the use of insecure cryptographic algorithms and modes of operation. When Blowfish operates in ECB mode, identical plaintext blocks consistently produce identical ciphertext blocks, enabling attackers to perform codebook attacks by analyzing patterns in the encrypted data. This characteristic fundamentally violates the principles of modern cryptographic security where each encryption operation should produce unique outputs even for identical inputs, a property essential for maintaining confidentiality and preventing pattern recognition attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password guessing, as it creates a systematic weakness in the credential protection mechanism that could allow adversaries to reconstruct sensitive authentication information over time. Attackers can exploit the predictable encryption patterns to identify common password structures, potentially leading to successful credential compromise across multiple user accounts. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where KWallet is used for storing authentication credentials, browser passwords, and other sensitive information requiring secure encryption. The attack surface becomes significantly larger when considering that many users rely on KWallet for managing their digital credentials across various applications and services.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to KDE Applications version 14.12.0 or later where the encryption mode has been properly corrected to use CBC mode instead of ECB. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of all systems utilizing KWallet to identify and remediate any instances where legacy configurations might still be employing insecure encryption practices. The remediation process must include not only software updates but also the re-encryption of existing password stores using proper cryptographic implementations. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and regular security assessments to reduce the overall risk exposure associated with credential storage vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and adherence to established security standards as outlined in various security frameworks and guidelines including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for credential access and defense evasion techniques.