CVE-2016-8889 in Bitcoin Knots
Summary
by MITRE
In Bitcoin Knots v0.11.0.ljr20150711 through v0.13.0.knots20160814 (fixed in v0.13.1.knots20161027), the debug console stores sensitive information including private keys and the wallet passphrase in its persistent command history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2016-8889 affects Bitcoin Knots versions ranging from 0.11.0.ljr20150711 through 0.13.0.knots20160814, representing a critical security flaw in the software's debug console functionality. This issue stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the application's command history mechanism, creating a persistent security risk for users who rely on the debug console for troubleshooting and development activities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given the cryptographic nature of Bitcoin wallets and the sensitive information typically handled within such systems.
The technical flaw manifests in the debug console's storage mechanism where it fails to properly sanitize or encrypt sensitive data before writing it to persistent command history files. This behavior directly violates security best practices for handling cryptographic keys and passphrases, as private keys and wallet passphrases are stored in plain text within the history file. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a failure in data protection mechanisms that should prevent sensitive information from being stored in easily accessible locations. When users execute commands containing private keys or wallet passphrases through the debug console, these values are automatically saved to the command history, making them accessible to anyone with file system access to the history file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, creating potential exposure for cryptocurrency holdings and user privacy. Attackers who gain access to a user's system can easily retrieve stored private keys and wallet passphrases from the command history file, potentially leading to complete loss of cryptocurrency assets. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.005 (Credentials from Password Stores) and T1003.001 (OS Credential Dumping) as it provides an avenue for extracting sensitive authentication information from system storage. The exposure extends beyond simple file access, as the vulnerability affects users who may have executed commands with sensitive data in the console, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until the affected software is updated.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to version 0.13.1.knots20161027 or later, which implements proper sanitization of sensitive data in command history. System administrators and users should also conduct thorough security audits of existing command history files to identify and remove any previously stored sensitive information. Additional protective measures include implementing file system access controls to restrict access to command history files, using encrypted storage solutions for command history, and establishing secure disposal procedures for sensitive data. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive command history files and establish incident response procedures for cases where sensitive information may have been compromised. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and data protection mechanisms in cryptographic software applications, particularly those handling sensitive financial information.