CVE-2015-1307 in plasma-workspace
Summary
by MITRE
plasma-workspace before 5.1.95 allows remote attackers to obtain passwords via a Trojan horse Look and Feel package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1307 affects the plasma-workspace component of KDE desktop environments prior to version 5.1.95. This issue represents a sophisticated attack vector that exploits the trust relationship between users and system components through malicious look and feel packages. The vulnerability falls under the category of Trojan horse attacks, where attackers craft deceptive packages that appear legitimate but contain malicious functionality designed to capture user credentials.
This security flaw resides in the way plasma-workspace handles look and feel packages, which are used to customize the visual appearance and behavior of the desktop environment. When users install or update these packages, the system processes them without adequate verification of their source or integrity. The technical implementation allows attackers to create seemingly innocuous package files that contain code capable of intercepting and logging user passwords when the desktop environment renders the customized interface elements. This represents a critical weakness in the software supply chain security model where trusted desktop components become attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to user accounts across multiple applications that rely on the desktop environment for authentication. Attackers can exploit this weakness to establish long-term footholds in compromised systems, potentially leading to lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability demonstrates a significant gap in the principle of least privilege, where desktop customization features become pathways for privilege escalation and credential harvesting. According to CWE guidelines, this vulnerability maps to CWE-494, representing a dangerous code download and execution scenario where trusted components become attack vectors.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that look and feel packages are commonly shared through various distribution channels including official repositories, community forums, and third-party sources. Users may unknowingly install malicious packages that appear legitimate, creating an insidious attack mechanism that bypasses traditional security controls. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, where adversaries use legitimate desktop environments to execute malicious code, and T1555, focusing on credential access through desktop environment manipulation. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where desktop customization is common and users frequently install third-party packages to enhance their desktop experience.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected plasma-workspace versions to 5.1.95 or later, implementing strict package verification processes, and establishing secure software distribution practices. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict installation of look and feel packages from untrusted sources. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing third-party desktop components, and system administrators should monitor package installation activities for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in desktop environments, particularly when handling user-provided customization elements that can execute arbitrary code within the context of the desktop session.