CVE-2020-35207 in Password Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2020
** DISPUTED ** An issue was discovered in the LogMein LastPass Password Manager (aka com.lastpass.ilastpass) app 4.8.11.2403 for iOS. The PIN authentication for unlocking can be bypassed by forcing the authentication result to be true through runtime manipulation. In other words, an attacker could authenticate with an arbitrary PIN. NOTE: the vendor has indicated that this is not an attack of interest within the context of their threat model, which excludes jailbroken devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-35207 affects the LogMein LastPass Password Manager application version 4.8.11.2403 on iOS devices, representing a critical security flaw in the application's authentication mechanism. This issue falls under the category of weak authentication controls and specifically targets the PIN-based unlock functionality that users rely upon to protect their sensitive password data. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication results within the application's runtime environment, creating a fundamental flaw in the security architecture that undermines the core purpose of the PIN protection system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves runtime manipulation techniques that allow attackers to force the authentication system to return a successful result regardless of the PIN entered by the user. This type of manipulation represents a classic example of insecure input validation and improper error handling within mobile applications. The flaw enables what security researchers would classify as an authentication bypass attack, where the attacker can effectively bypass the intended security controls through code manipulation or debugging techniques. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly compromises the confidentiality and integrity of stored passwords and sensitive user information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to a single application. When an attacker can bypass PIN authentication, they gain unrestricted access to all password credentials stored within the LastPass vault, potentially exposing sensitive login information for multiple online accounts. This creates a significant risk for users who rely on the application for managing their digital identities, as the breach could lead to widespread credential compromise across various platforms and services. The vulnerability also demonstrates a lack of proper secure coding practices and insufficient runtime protection mechanisms that should be implemented in mobile security applications handling sensitive user data.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure authentication design. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as an authentication bypass technique, potentially enabling further attacks through lateral movement or credential theft. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where mobile application security is increasingly critical. The vendor's response indicating this is not an attack of interest within their threat model, while excluding jailbroken devices, does not diminish the fundamental security flaw that exists in the application's architecture and highlights the need for more robust security testing and validation of mobile security controls.