BitLocker Vulnerability

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows BitLocker that exposes user passwords through a specific sequence of events. This vulnerability does not compromise BitLocker's encryption key but rather exploits how applications store passwords in memory. If a device is hibernated before the password is overwritten and subsequently stolen, a thief can access unencrypted passwords from the hibernation file, especially if multi-factor authentication (MFA) is not implemented by the service. The conversation also touches on related issues of personal data consent in light of GDPR regulations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of BitLocker encryption and its functionality
  • Knowledge of memory management in operating systems
  • Familiarity with multi-factor authentication (MFA) principles
  • Awareness of GDPR regulations and their implications for data privacy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specifics of BitLocker encryption and its security features
  • Learn about memory management and how applications handle sensitive data
  • Investigate best practices for implementing multi-factor authentication
  • Explore GDPR compliance requirements for software applications
USEFUL FOR

Security professionals, system administrators, and anyone concerned with data protection and encryption vulnerabilities in Windows environments.

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Mistitled: Bitlocker does not have a password, it has an encryption key, and this vulnerability has nothing to do with Bitlocker's encryption key. In order to exploit this vulnerability something like the following sequence needs to happen:
  1. You enter your password into some application
  2. That application stores your password in memory
  3. You hibernate your device before the password is overwritten in memory
  4. Your device is stolen
  5. Despite the fact that your device has been stolen you do not change all your passwords
  6. The thief invests effort in parsing your hibernation file for unencrypted passwords
  7. The thief identifies what service the password relates to
  8. The thief obtains the other relevant credentials (e.g. a user name) - bearing in mind that Bitlocker is still protecting the rest of the information on the disk apart from the hibernation file
  9. The service does not impement MFA (multi-factor authentication), allowing the thief to log in using only the credentials he has discovered
 
Yes, PF sometimes doesn't allow you to change your post. I tried editing before first posting it.
 
WWGD said:
Yes, PF sometimes doesn't allow you to change your post. I tried editing before first posting it.
Usually it's only after a 24-hour period expires. Weird.
 
berkeman said:
Usually it's only after a 24-hour period expires. Weird.
Equally weird, I was asked here, in other sites, for the first time I can remember, to give consent to the site Im in, to use my personal data.
 
WWGD said:
Equally weird, I was asked here, in other sites, for the first time I can remember, to give consent to the site Im in, to use my personal data.
This was at PF? You were asked to give consent to use your personal data? Like Cookies or something else? Do you think it was because you used Bitlocker to sign in?
 
berkeman said:
This was at PF? You were asked to give consent to use your personal data? Like Cookies or something else? Do you think it was because you used Bitlocker to sign in?
Here in PF as well as when I tried to use any app.
 
. @pbuk , as I understood, the vulnerability/hack consists in corrupting a registry key that deals with the management of crash dump files, so that these are written in the dump files unencrypted. Though not sure if direct physical access is needed. @berkeman : From what I read, it seems these dialog boxes arise from a change of laws (GDPR) , re the use, consent to access and use personal information, as a way to pay for "free" apps.
 

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