CVE-2008-3899: Infoleak

Published Sep 3, 2008
·
Updated

TrueCrypt 5.0 stores pre-boot authentication passwords in the BIOS Keyboard buffer and does not clear this buffer before and after use, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the physical memory locations associated with this buffer. NOTE: the researcher mentions a response from the vendor denying the vulnerability.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Truecrypt Foundation Truecrypt=5.0

Event History

Sep 3, 2008
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:00 PM
Description
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2008-3899?

CVE-2008-3899 is considered a high-severity vulnerability due to the potential exposure of sensitive authentication information.

2

How can I mitigate the effects of CVE-2008-3899?

To mitigate CVE-2008-3899, it is recommended to upgrade to a version of TrueCrypt that does not store passwords in the BIOS keyboard buffer.

3

Who is affected by CVE-2008-3899?

Users of TrueCrypt version 5.0 are directly affected by CVE-2008-3899.

4

What information can be compromised due to CVE-2008-3899?

CVE-2008-3899 allows local users to potentially retrieve pre-boot authentication passwords stored in physical memory.

5

Is TrueCrypt still a viable encryption solution given CVE-2008-3899?

Given the vulnerabilities like CVE-2008-3899, it is advisable to consider alternative encryption solutions as TrueCrypt is no longer maintained.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203