CVE-2023-36266

Response to CVE-2023-36266

NIST Link

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36266

Description

A researcher filed a CVE (CVE-2023-36266) in regards to the scanning of local memory when using Keeper Desktop and browser extension software.

Impact to Keeper

We have disputed this CVE. Keeper performs quarterly pen testing with 3rd party experts including NCC Group, Cybertest and independent security researchers against all of our products and systems. Keeper has also partnered with Bugcrowd to manage its vulnerability disclosure and bug bounty programs. As part of our testing, we explicitly test the storage of secrets in memory while our applications are in use, and when logged out. Keeper removes all decrypted vault data from memory upon logout and provides settings to also wipe memory and restart the app upon vault auto-lock. This functionality has been verified by our pen testers and the test results are available for customer review.

As with any software product, if an attacker controls the local computer, the attacker can perform any action the user or an application could perform. In the case of a password manager, if an attacker can read arbitrary memory, then an attacker can read decrypted contents of the password manager while the application is in use. This applies to any password management product. Security researchers understand that a fully compromised device scenario has severe implications for the user.

Keeper has multiple security mechanisms in-place to defend against compromised end-user devices. Keeper client software only decrypts the user's vault upon successful login, and only stores decrypted values during use in volatile memory. When a user is logged out or timed-out, decrypted values are removed from memory. In addition, the Keeper desktop application provides a setting in the "Security" screen which forces a full application restart upon auto-logout, to ensure that data is cleared upon locking. In the case of a web browser such as Chrome, Keeper requests the clearing of memory after logout, however the memory management of the underlying browser is outside of Keeper’s control and can sometimes take time for the memory management system to complete this operation.

With all end-user software, it's important to ensure that users reduce the risk of a compromised device by following security best practices, keeping all software up-to-date and installing adequate antivirus / malware protection software.

Keeper has stood by its commitment to protect your most valuable data for more than a decade, through our best-in-class Zero-Knowledge and Zero-Trust security model and transparent approach to sharing it with the public. For information regarding Keeper's security and encryption model, please visit:

https://docs.keeper.io/enterprise-guide/keeper-encryption-model

If you have any questions, please email us at [e-mail].