Clear text password exposure in Datakey's tokens and smartcards
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Clear text password exposure in Datakey's tokens and smartcards
Classification:
===============
Level: [LOW]-med-high-crit
ID: HEXVIEW*2004*08*03*1
Overview:
=========
Datakey (http://www.datakey.com) delivers smartcard and token-based
authentication and identity management solutions. Datakey's latest
smartcards and USB tokens are based on Philips 5032 cryptoprocessor
running DKCCOS (Datakey Cryptographic Card Operating System). An
implementation flaw makes possible to retrieve user's PIN by sniffing
communication channel between smartcard/token and smartcard driver.
Affected products:
==================
All tests were performed using Rainbow iKey2032 USB token and Datakey's
up-to-date CIP client package. Since the same firmware is also used in
Datakey's 330-series smartcards, all of them are also vulnerable.
Cause and Effect:
=================
The communication channel between the token and the driver is not
encrypted. User's PIN can be retrieved using proxy driver or hardware
sniffer. Retrieved password can later be used by attacker to authenticate
against the token and logon to the system, decrypt confidential
information, or perform other unauthorized activities depending on
what a specific smartcard implementation is used for.
Note that LOW risk level reflects overall industry impact. Since
Datakey's tokens and smartcards are used by many organizations to secure
critical information, the issue may be of much higher concern for some
users.
History Tour:
=============
The vulnerability described in this advisory is not the first and only
problem with Datakey's smartcards. There was an earlier (also resolved)
issue with smartcard driver caching user's PIN in clear text on a local
filesystem. It looks like Datakey may need to send its programmers to
attend some classes on how to write a secure code.
Vendor Status:
==============
Although HexView did not notify the vendor, Datakey was well aware of the
vulnerability and put significant efforts in order to address the issue.
As per reliable source of information, Datakey's new firmware version
encrypts communication channel utilizing Diffie-Hellman to exchange
encryption keys.
Please note that HexView does not notify vendors unless there is a prior
agreement to do so. Vendors interested in receiving notifications prior
to public disclosure or receiving more detailed analysis may obtain
more information by writing to the e-mail address provided at the end
of the document.
About HexView:
==============
HexView contributes to online security-related lists for almost a decade.
The scope of our expertize spreads over Windows, Linux, Sun, MacOS platforms,
network applications, and embedded devices. The chances are you read our
advisories or disclosures. For the sake of readability and easy web indexing
we recently decided to use the HexView alias to publish all the information.
Distribution:
=============
This document may be freely distributed through any channels as long as the
contents are kept unmodified. Commercial use of the information in the document
is not allowed without written permission from HexView signed by our pgp key.
Feedback and comments:
======================
Feedback and questions about this disclosure are welcome at vtalk@xxxxxxxxxxx
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