CVE-2009-4145: Infoleak
+++ This bug was initially created as a clone of Bug #546115 +++
nm-connection-editor may inadvertently publish network configuration settings over D-Bus when a user changes those settings using the connection editor. D-Bus gives all clients a bus name (usually 1:XXX where XXX is an ever-increasing number) whenever the client connects to the bus. Even though this client is not exporting a /named/ service, it is still on the bus and if the client exports an object (even inadvertently, without registering a well-known bus name) signals emitted by that object will also be proxied onto the bus.
nm-connection-editor inadvertently exported connection objects on the bus, and when a user changes those connections though the connection editor GUI, the editor may emit a summary of those changes onto the bus, leading to the information disclosure.
1) start 'dbus-monitor --system' in a terminal 2) run nm-connection-editor 3) edit a connection that has secrets, like a protected wifi network 4) Upon clicking the "Apply" button, check the dbus-monitor terminal window; the wifi network password may have been emitted as part of the "Updated" signal for that connection
This is only a problem for NM 0.7.x present in Fedora <= 11 and RHEL5. The problem has been long corrected in NM 0.8 (F12+). Upstream commit to 0.7.x fixing this problem is here:
http://git.gnome.org/cgit/network-manager-applet/commit/?h=NETWORKMANAGERAPPLET07&id=8627880e07c8345f69ed639325280c7f62a8f894
Other sources
nm-connection-editor in NetworkManager (NM) 0.7.x exports connection objects over D-Bus upon actions in the connection editor GUI, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading D-Bus signals, as demonstrated by using dbus-monitor to discover the password for the WiFi network.
— MITRE
Affected Software
Remediation
Patch Available
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2009-4145?
CVE-2009-4145 is classified as a medium severity vulnerability.
How do I fix CVE-2009-4145?
To fix CVE-2009-4145, update the NetworkManager to a version newer than 0.7.2.
What are the potential consequences of CVE-2009-4145?
CVE-2009-4145 can lead to exposure of sensitive network configuration settings over D-Bus.
Is CVE-2009-4145 exploitable remotely?
CVE-2009-4145 is not directly exploitable remotely, but it can reveal configurations to local users.
Which software versions are affected by CVE-2009-4145?
CVE-2009-4145 affects NetworkManager version 0.7.2.