CVE-2001-1105 in BSAFE SSL-J SDK
Summary
by MITRE
RSA BSAFE SSL-J 3.0, 3.0.1 and 3.1, as used in Cisco iCND 2.0, caches session IDs from failed login attempts, which could allow remote attackers to bypass SSL client authentication and gain access to sensitive data by logging in after an initial failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1105 represents a critical security flaw in the RSA BSAFE SSL-J 3.0 cryptographic library implementation within Cisco iCND 2.0 software. This issue stems from improper session management during SSL authentication processes where the system maintains cached session identifiers even after failed authentication attempts. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the SSL client authentication mechanism, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control, which addresses improper access control mechanisms in software systems. This weakness directly enables privilege escalation through session hijacking techniques that fall within the ATT&CK framework's credential access category, specifically targeting the use of stolen credentials for unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the SSL-J library's session caching mechanism failing to properly invalidate session identifiers upon authentication failure. When an attacker attempts to establish an SSL connection with the vulnerable system, the initial authentication attempt fails, but the system retains the session ID in its cache. Subsequent login attempts can then reuse this cached session identifier, effectively bypassing the normal authentication process. The flaw exists because the system does not properly implement session invalidation protocols that should occur after failed authentication attempts, creating a window where previously failed session identifiers remain valid for reuse. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of session management and authentication state handling, particularly in environments where cryptographic security is paramount. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data without having to successfully authenticate through normal means, essentially providing a backdoor mechanism through session cache manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1105 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption within environments using affected Cisco iCND 2.0 implementations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass SSL client authentication requirements, which are typically designed to ensure that only authorized clients can establish secure connections to sensitive systems. The implications are severe because SSL client authentication serves as a critical control mechanism for protecting sensitive data and maintaining system integrity. Organizations using vulnerable systems may experience unauthorized data access, potential exfiltration of confidential information, and complete compromise of systems that rely on SSL client authentication for access control. The vulnerability affects systems where SSL client authentication is implemented, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices, web servers, and applications that require strong client-side authentication. The attack vector is remote and does not require physical access or special privileges, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1105 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of proper session management controls. Organizations must upgrade to patched versions of RSA BSAFE SSL-J libraries and Cisco iCND 2.0 software to address the session caching vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper session invalidation procedures that ensure failed authentication attempts immediately invalidate session identifiers and prevent their reuse. Network security controls should include monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and session reuse attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The implementation of additional authentication layers, such as two-factor authentication or certificate-based authentication, can provide defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts. Security configurations should enforce strict session timeout policies and ensure that session identifiers are properly rotated after authentication failures. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious session reuse patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that session management functions properly and that the vulnerability has been completely eliminated from the environment.