CVE-2021-34689 in RemotePC
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2021
iDrive RemotePC before 7.6.48 on Windows allows information disclosure. A locally authenticated attacker can read the system's Personal Key in world-readable %PROGRAMDATA% log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-34689 affects iDrive RemotePC versions prior to 7.6.48 on Windows operating systems, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper file permissions and inadequate access controls within the application's logging infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically targets the storage and handling of sensitive cryptographic material known as the Personal Key, which serves as a critical component in the remote access and authentication mechanisms of the software. The flaw exists within the application's design where log files containing sensitive information are written to the %PROGRAMDATA% directory with world-readable permissions, creating an exploitable condition that allows any local user to access confidential data. The Personal Key, which functions as a cryptographic identifier for authenticating remote connections, becomes exposed through this misconfiguration, potentially compromising the security posture of systems utilizing the affected software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the application's logging mechanism that fails to properly secure sensitive data within its output files. When iDrive RemotePC operates on Windows systems, it generates log files containing the Personal Key in plaintext format within the %PROGRAMDATA% directory, which is a standard Windows system directory accessible to all users. The flaw manifests as a direct result of insufficient access control enforcement, where the application does not implement proper file permission settings to restrict access to these log files. This misconfiguration aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses scenarios where security-critical resources are assigned incorrect permissions that allow unauthorized access. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the principle of least privilege, where sensitive information is stored in a location that provides unrestricted read access to all local users, effectively creating a backdoor for information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-34689 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security architecture of affected systems by exposing cryptographic keys that enable unauthorized remote access. An attacker with local system access can simply navigate to the %PROGRAMDATA% directory, locate the relevant log files, and extract the Personal Key without requiring additional authentication or elevated privileges. This access enables potential attackers to establish unauthorized remote connections to systems protected by the vulnerable iDrive RemotePC software, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the affected software remains installed, potentially allowing attackers to maintain access to compromised systems over extended periods. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1074.001: Local Data Staging, where adversaries stage data by accessing local files, and T1566.001: Phishing, as attackers could potentially use the extracted keys to conduct more sophisticated social engineering attacks against system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-34689 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper file permission management and secure logging practices. Organizations should first upgrade to iDrive RemotePC version 7.6.48 or later, which contains the necessary patches to resolve the improper file permissions issue. System administrators should implement immediate file permission corrections on existing installations by ensuring that log files containing sensitive information are stored with restrictive permissions that limit access to authorized users only. The recommended approach involves setting appropriate discretionary access control lists that prevent world-read access to sensitive files while maintaining necessary functionality for legitimate system operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify other applications or services that may be storing sensitive information in insecure locations within the %PROGRAMDATA% directory. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to system directories and implement automated alerts when sensitive information is accessed by unauthorized users. The fix should also include implementing proper logging practices that do not store cryptographic keys in plain text format within persistent storage locations, aligning with security best practices outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls related to information security management and access control.