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If through a vulnerability assessment, a network security issue is detected for the vulnerability below, applying the appropriate security patches in a timely matter is very important. If you have detected that your system has already been compromised, following CERT's Network Security recovery document will assist with recommended steps for system recovery.

Home >> Browse Vulnerability Assessment Database >> Useless services >> X Display Manager Control Protocol (XDMCP)

Vulnerability Assessment Details

X Display Manager Control Protocol (XDMCP)

Vulnerability Assessment Summary
Checks if XDM has XDMCP protocol enabled

Detailed Explanation for this Vulnerability Assessment

Summary :

XDMCP is running on the remote host.

Description :

XDMCP permit a Unix user to remotely obtain a graphical X11 login
(and therefore act as a local user on the remote host).

If a possible hacker gains a valid login and password, he may
be able to use this service to gain further access
on the remote host. A possible hacker may also use this service
to mount a dictionary attack against the remote host to try
to log in remotely.

Note that XDMCP (the Remote Desktop Protocol) is vulnerable
to Man-in-the-middle attacks, making it easy for attackers to
steal the credentials of legitimates users by impersonating the
XDMCP server. In addition to this, XDMCP is not a ciphered protocol
which make it easy for a possible hacker to capture the keystrokes
entered by the user.

Solution :

Disable the XDMCP if you do not use it, and do not permit this
service to run across the internet

Network Security Threat Level:

Low / CVSS Base Score : 1.9
(AV:R/AC:H/Au:NR/C:P/I:N/A:N/B:N)

Networks Security ID:

Vulnerability Assessment Copyright: This script is Copyright (C) 2002 Pasi Eronen

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