CVE-2001-0950 in Enterprise Validation Authority
Summary
by MITRE
ValiCert Enterprise Validation Authority (EVA) Administration Server 3.3 through 4.2.1 uses insufficiently random data to (1) generate session tokens for HSMs using the C rand function, or (2) generate certificates or keys using /dev/urandom instead of another source which blocks when the entropy pool is low, which could make it easier for local or remote attackers to steal tokens or certificates via brute force guessing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0950 affects the ValiCert Enterprise Validation Authority EVA Administration Server versions 3.3 through 4.2.1, presenting a critical weakness in cryptographic randomness generation that undermines the security of sensitive operations. This flaw resides in the server's implementation of cryptographic functions used for session token generation and certificate creation processes, creating exploitable conditions that could allow adversaries to compromise the system's integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from two distinct but related issues in the cryptographic random number generation mechanisms. First, the system utilizes the C rand function for generating session tokens used with Hardware Security Modules, which is fundamentally flawed because the standard rand function produces pseudo-random sequences that lack sufficient entropy and cryptographic strength. Second, the system relies on /dev/urandom for certificate and key generation instead of implementing proper entropy sources that block when the entropy pool is depleted. This approach creates predictable cryptographic material that significantly reduces the security margin against brute force attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness to encompass potential system compromise and data theft. Attackers could exploit the insufficient randomness to predict session tokens used for HSM communication, potentially gaining unauthorized access to hardware security modules and their protected cryptographic keys. Additionally, the predictable certificate generation process could enable attackers to forge certificates or decrypt sensitive communications, particularly when the entropy pool becomes depleted and /dev/urandom begins returning predictable values. This vulnerability creates a pathway for both local and remote attackers to compromise the cryptographic infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system takeover or data exfiltration.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several established frameworks and classifications including CWE-330, which addresses insufficient entropy in random number generation, and maps to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Organizations utilizing affected versions of the ValiCert EVA Administration Server face significant risk of cryptographic attacks that could undermine the entire certificate management infrastructure. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic implementation that violates best practices for secure random number generation as outlined in NIST SP 800-90A and other cryptographic standards.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to the latest available versions of the ValiCert EVA Administration Server that address the random number generation flaws. Organizations must ensure that cryptographic random number generation utilizes proper entropy sources that maintain sufficient unpredictability and that the system implements blocking mechanisms when entropy pools are low. Additional defensive measures include implementing monitoring for unusual cryptographic activity patterns, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of the cryptographic infrastructure, and establishing proper entropy management practices. The fix should ensure that session token generation employs cryptographically secure random number generators and that certificate creation processes utilize proper blocking mechanisms when system entropy is insufficient, thereby preventing the exploitation conditions that this vulnerability creates.