CVE-2000-0357 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
ORBit and esound in Red Hat Linux 6.1 do not use sufficiently random numbers, which allows local users to guess the authentication keys.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0357 affects ORBit and esound components in Red Hat Linux 6.1, representing a significant weakness in the cryptographic randomness used for authentication key generation. This flaw resides in the fundamental security mechanisms that protect network services and daemon communications within the operating system. The issue stems from insufficient entropy in the random number generation algorithms employed by these critical system components, creating predictable authentication tokens that can be exploited by local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of weak pseudo-random number generators that fail to provide adequate cryptographic security. ORBit serves as a CORBA object request broker while esound provides sound server functionality, both relying on authentication mechanisms that depend on random number generation for session key creation. When these systems generate authentication keys using inadequate randomness sources, they produce predictable sequences that can be reverse-engineered through statistical analysis or brute force attempts. This weakness directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-330, which addresses insufficient entropy in random number generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1112 for the use of system information discovery to identify potential attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it compromises the integrity of the entire system's authentication framework. Local users who can access these services gain the ability to predict authentication keys and potentially gain unauthorized access to network services, daemon communications, and system resources that should remain protected. The attack surface includes any application or service that relies on ORBit or esound for communication, potentially affecting audio applications, distributed computing services, and other network-dependent system components. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in cryptographic components can create substantial security risks that undermine the overall security posture of entire operating system distributions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of proper random number generation practices. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of ORBit and esound components, ensuring that all security updates are applied promptly. The remediation process should include verification that cryptographic libraries now utilize proper entropy sources and that random number generation meets minimum security requirements. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the need for regular security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in system components.