External drive password prompts allow the focus to be changed creating security issue
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
unity (Ubuntu) |
New
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Undecided
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Unassigned |
Bug Description
Issue: plugging in an external drive encrypted with dm-crypt/luks pops up a password prompt but the window's focus is not locked to the password prompt (as it should be for proper security when entering a password).
In the current implementation, if the window's focus changes (by accident) or is changed purposely (via malware), the user could be entering his/her password into a focus-point that is not the password prompt. For proper implementation on how to do this see Gnome-Shell's implementation. In Gnome-Shell, the screen darkens putting all the focus onto the password prompt. The window's focus on the password prompt will not be released until the user clicks Cancel or enters a password.
Please implement this properly in Unity so that Ubuntu users are better protected when entering their passwords for external drives.
To recreate the problem, encrypt an external HDD with dmcrypt/luks. Plug the drive into Unity via USB and notice the password prompt that appears. Notice how the user is free to change what window has focus despite the fact that a password prompt window has been generated? With the password prompt showing on the left side of the screen, I can type content into another window (e.g., gedit) that appears on the right side of the screen. This should not be possible. And results in poor security for the user.