COMMAND
Easy Access Keyboard
SYSTEMS AFFECTED
Compaq Easy Access Keyboard 1.3
PROBLEM
Brad McArdle found following. Compaq's Easy Access Keyboard
software version 1.3 contains a bug which could allow a privilege
escalation on the local machine or domain. This has been
confirmed the bug running the Easy Access Keyboard software on
Windows 2000 Professional SP1, but any service pack level of NT or
Win2K would be affected.
The Easy Access Keyboard software is used to provide the
functionality of the custom buttons on the keyboards that ship
with their iPaq desktops. The default for most of the buttons is
to launch the default browser and load a specified web site.
However, due to a bug in the software, these custom keys function
even if the NT/Win2K workstation is locked via Ctrl-Alt-Del, Lock
Workstation. This can be demonstrated by closing all application,
locking the workstation, pressing one of the custom buttons, and
unlocking the workstation. You will find a browser process has
been launched, even though the workstation was locked when you
pressed the button.
To add to the problem, the function of these buttons can be
modified by a malicious user via network share. Modifying the
file \program files\compaq\easy access keyboard\global.kmp
changes the function of the custom buttons. Thus, it would be
possible for an administrator of the local machine to compromise
the machine remotely. Since the software runs under the context
of the interactive user, this would provide a privilege escalation
possibility if the interactive user is a domain admin. It has
been confirmed that this is possible, but we won't bore you with
the details.
SOLUTION
Compaq has fixed the problem in version 1.5.1, which can be
downloaded at:
http://www.compaq.com/support/files/desktops/us/download/9068.html