CVE-2014-3202 in Unity
Summary
by MITRE
Unity before 7.2.1 does not properly handle entry activation, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen by holding the ENTER key, which triggers the process to crash.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3202 affects Unity versions prior to 7.2.1 and represents a significant security flaw in the handling of user input during system lock screen operations. This issue stems from improper validation of entry activation sequences, creating a critical weakness that can be exploited by attackers who are physically present near the target device. The vulnerability specifically targets the lock screen mechanism within Unity-based applications, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize keyboard input during the authentication process. Attackers can leverage this weakness by simply holding the enter key, which triggers an unexpected behavior that causes the system to crash and subsequently bypass the lock screen protection entirely.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and weak session management, aligning with CWE-20 which addresses "Improper Input Validation" and CWE-305 which covers "Authentication Bypass Using Multiple Authentication Factors". The technical implementation flaw occurs at the application layer where keyboard event handling does not properly account for edge cases during the authentication flow. When the enter key is held, the system's entry activation mechanism fails to properly process this input, leading to an unexpected crash state that inadvertently removes the lock screen protection. This type of vulnerability represents a serious concern for mobile and desktop applications that rely on Unity for their user interface and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for any system utilizing Unity versions before 7.2.1. Attackers with physical proximity can exploit this weakness without requiring sophisticated tools or network access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended or in public spaces. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that allows unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, potentially granting access to sensitive data, applications, or system resources. This type of attack vector is classified under ATT&CK technique T1547.001 which covers "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" but more specifically relates to T1550.001 which addresses "Use of Network Protocols" and T1562.001 which covers "Impair Defenses". The physical proximity requirement reduces the complexity of exploitation but increases the potential for successful attacks in real-world scenarios.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of all affected Unity applications to version 7.2.1 or later, where proper entry activation handling has been implemented. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of all Unity-based applications to identify systems vulnerable to this attack, particularly those deployed in environments where physical security cannot be guaranteed. Additional protective measures include implementing stronger authentication mechanisms beyond simple keyboard input, such as biometric authentication or multi-factor authentication systems that would not be susceptible to this particular type of bypass. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual keyboard input patterns or system crash events that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security-critical applications and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases during the development lifecycle. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts that might leverage this type of authentication bypass mechanism.