CVE-2019-19022 in iTerm2
Summary
by MITRE
iTerm2 through 3.3.6 has potentially insufficient documentation about the presence of search history in com.googlecode.iterm2.plist, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, as demonstrated by searching for the NoSyncSearchHistory string in .plist files within public Git repositories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19022 affects iTerm2 versions through 3.3.6 and relates to inadequate documentation regarding search history persistence within the application's configuration file. This issue manifests through the com.googlecode.iterm2.plist file which stores various user preferences and settings including search history data. The problem arises from the fact that this search history information is stored in plaintext within the plist configuration file, making it accessible to anyone who can read the file or obtain copies of it through various means.
The technical flaw stems from the application's handling of search history data persistence where user search terms are automatically saved to the configuration file without proper sanitization or documentation of the sensitive nature of this data. When users perform searches within iTerm2, these search terms are stored in the plist file under the NoSyncSearchHistory string, which serves as a marker for search history data. This creates a situation where search history becomes part of the application's persistent state and is not properly secured or separated from other configuration settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information through publicly accessible repositories. The vulnerability has been demonstrated through the discovery of search history data in .plist files within public git repositories, indicating that users may inadvertently expose their search history through version control systems. This exposure can reveal sensitive information such as system paths, usernames, passwords, or other potentially confidential search terms that users have entered into the terminal application. The issue is particularly concerning because it represents a data leakage scenario where user privacy and security are compromised through the application's configuration management.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a form of insecure data handling where sensitive user information is stored in an unsecured manner within application configuration files. The issue also connects to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, "Credentials In Files," as the search history data may contain sensitive information that could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in configuration management and highlights the importance of proper data classification and handling in application design.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires multiple approaches including proper documentation of the sensitive nature of search history data, implementation of proper data sanitization when storing search terms, and user education regarding the potential exposure of sensitive information through version control systems. Application developers should consider implementing encryption for sensitive configuration data or at minimum proper access controls on configuration files. Users should be advised to avoid storing sensitive information in search history and to regularly audit their configuration files for potential exposure. Additionally, the application should provide clear warnings or prompts when users attempt to store sensitive data in search history fields, and the default behavior should be to not store sensitive search terms in persistent configuration files.