COMMAND
BioLogon
SYSTEMS AFFECTED
Identix BioLogon 2.00, 2.01, 2.02, 2.03 running on Windows 98 or Windows Me
PROBLEM
Marc DeBonis found following. Identix's BioLogon software is
used as the software "glue" to tie together various biometric
devices to the Windows operating system. The BioLogon client can
be used to have smart cards, fingerprint readers, and other
devices interact with Windows.
The security vulnerability exists when the software is installed
onto a Windows system that has more than one video card installed
and the system is doing "multi-monitor" with the built in virtual
desktop software that comes with Windows 98 SE and Windows 2000.
The problem is that the BioLogon client software attempts to
harden the screensaver password locking mechanism so that a
biometric device is needed to unlock the system. Unfortunately,
the software only locks the first screen (screen zero). No access
is blocked from any other screen (virtual desktop). Mouse,
keyboard, and the screen can be used while screen zero is locked.
In fact, unless the mouse is on screen zero, the biometric device
will not recognize the fact it should inquire for input (at least
with the Cherry keyboard that was used for test).
This was tested on a Windows 98 SE system with four video cards
installed.
SOLUTION
Identix has confirmed that this problem could result in some
degree of security vulnerability in BioLogon(TM) for Windows,
running on Windows 98 or Windows Me. Not fix at the time.