OSEC

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From: Peter Trifonov (pvthomehotbox.ru)
Date: Sat Dec 22 2001 - 07:41:57 CST

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    ('binary' encoding is not supported, stored as-is) Summary:
    If window focus changes while PGP is encrypting a
    message encrypted text goes to the wrong window
    and message is sent unencryted

    Systems affected:
    Discovered on Windows 2000; seems to be the
    same on other Windows versions; PGP freeware
    7.0.3

    Explanation:
    PGP plugin seems to operate as follows:
    When you press the Send button in the Message
    window it selects text FROM ACTIVE WINDOW and
    passes it to the PGP Engine. It processes it and puts
    ciphertext into the ACTIVE WINDOW replacing the
    selected text. But if another window becomes active
    while encryption goes on ciphertext goes into that
    window and original Message window remains
    unaffected. PGP plugin decides that encryption is
    done and proceeds with message sending.

    Remote attacker can force active window to change,
    for example, by sending an ICQ message at the time
    of encryption.

    Conclusions:
    This bug report has been posted here to warn people
    about potential danger coming from easy-to-use
    window-button interface to encryption software.
    However, it seems to me that the problem can be
    easily fixed