Airscanner Mobile Security Advisory #05082201: File Transfer Anywhere v3.01 Local Server Password Disclosure
Airscanner Mobile Security Advisory #05082201:
File Transfer Anywhere v3.01 Local Server Password Disclosure
Product:
TTXN File Transfer Anywhere v3.01 server
Platform:
Tested on Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003
Requirements:
Mobile device running Windows Mobile Pocket PC with Transfer Anywhere v3.01
installed
Credits:
Jonathan Read, CISSP
Airscanner Mobile Security
http://www.airscanner.com
Mobile Antivirus Researchers Association
http://www.mobileav.org
August 22 2005
Risk Level:
Medium, a local attacker can view server passwords in plain text.
Summary:
File Transfer Anywhere is a http based file transfer application. It allows
users to transfer files in a FTP server like way but using HTTP. The program
can also be used as a webserver.
The author’s website is unknown but the software can be found on
Handango.com
Details:
File Transfer Anywhere has a couple of security issues. The first issue is the
failure to encrypt passwords being sent via the client to the server. Passwords
are sent in plaintext and can easily be sniffed through the air using a
wireless packet sniffer (when the connection between the server and client are
wireless).
The second issue is of greater concern. The server by default is not password
protected (which is a security risk in itself), but most people will add a
password and tick the save password box to avoid intrusions from unknown
clients. Although the program uses **** symbols to hide the password in the
programs GUI, it stores the saved password in the local registry in plain text.
The password can easily be located using a registry editor tool at the
following registry location:
[\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TTXN\File Transfer Anywhere]
Under this key a value called PASS will have the password as its data. This
data should be encrypted as it gives a local attacker information that could
allow them to gain full remote control of the device at a later stage.
Workaround:
None
Vendor Response
The vendor was notified and has released a new version that fixes this issue
Copyright (c) 2005 Airscanner Corp.
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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the
time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the
information constitutes acceptance for use on an AS IS condition. There are no
warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the
publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss
or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.