Re: XP Screen Saver password uses Old password until logout or New one is used.

From: hellNbak (hellnbakat_private)
Date: Tue Apr 30 2002 - 13:46:10 PDT

  • Next message: Meritt James: "Re: XP Screen Saver password uses Old password until logout or Newone is used."

    I haven't seen that one work since the NT3.51 days and early (pre SP3) NT
    4.0 installations.
    
    On Tue, 30 Apr 2002, Meritt James wrote:
    
    > Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 15:00:16 -0400
    > From: Meritt James <meritt_jamesat_private>
    > To: John Thornton <newsat_private>
    > Cc: "Ghazi H. Al Wadi [NGHA-CTC]" <wadigat_private>,
    >      vuln-devat_private
    > Subject: Re: XP Screen Saver password uses Old password until logout or
    >     New one  is used.
    >
    > A minor trick that works on SOME systems is that if you call up the
    > process control popup via the keyboard, it appears on TOP of the
    > screensaver.  You can then use it to kill the screensaver and then go to
    > it.  This does NOT work on all implementations!
    >
    > Jim
    >
    > John Thornton wrote:
    > >
    > > There is no way this can be a feature. Take the following example. A
    > > computer retail store such as Staples use password protected screen savers
    > > to secure all of their computers. If they fired a disgruntle employee and
    > > change all of the passwords he can still come back (Or have someone come
    > > back for him) and do what ever he likes. Most retail stores do not shut the
    > > display computers off at night because it just add more to the list of
    > > things to do so, therefore the old password will always work.
    > >
    > > Not having access to a XP box I am curious to know if you change the
    > > password three times would the two old passwords work?
    > >
    > > -John Thornton
    > > Editor in Chief
    > > Hacker's Digest Magazine
    > > http://www.hackersdigest.com
    > >
    > > ----- Original Message -----
    > > From: Ghazi H. Al Wadi [NGHA-CTC]
    > > To: vuln-devat_private
    > > Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 11:32 PM
    > > Subject: XP Screen Saver password uses Old password until logout or New one
    > > is used.
    > >
    > > Hi,
    > > Today I have as usual, changed my PC logon password (XP Home Edition). When
    > > the screen saver started, I dismissed it and by force of habit, I typed the
    > > old password. To my surprise I was able to unlock the screen saver using the
    > > old password.
    > > I  was able to do that several times, However, once I logout or use the new
    > > password I am unable to use the old password and have to use the new one.
    > >
    > > The question is , Is this a feature. and from a security point of view
    > > wouldn't that be a vulnerability. If not is it documented any where. And
    > > last, was this issue addressed before.
    > >
    > > Kindest regards
    > > Ghazi Al Wadi
    >
    >
    
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