CVE-2001-1568 in WAP Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
CMG WAP gateway does not verify the fully qualified domain name URL with X.509 certificates from root certificate authorities, which allows remote attackers to spoof SSL certificates via a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1568 resides within the CMG WAP gateway implementation, representing a critical flaw in SSL/TLS certificate validation mechanisms. This weakness specifically targets the verification process of fully qualified domain names against X.509 certificates issued by trusted root certificate authorities. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the absence of proper hostname validation during SSL handshakes, creating a pathway for sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise secure communications.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.002 for "Encrypted Channel: TLS/SSL Protocol" where adversaries manipulate certificate validation to establish fraudulent secure connections. The technical flaw manifests when the WAP gateway fails to perform Subject Alternative Name (SAN) or Common Name (CN) validation against the requested domain name, allowing attackers to present certificates that appear legitimate but are actually issued to different domains or entities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple certificate spoofing, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to establish. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept, modify, or redirect communications between clients and servers, potentially accessing sensitive data, credentials, or proprietary information transmitted over what appears to be a secure channel. This vulnerability affects organizations relying on CMG WAP gateways for mobile network access and secure communication services.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms that enforce strict hostname matching against certificate subject fields. Organizations must ensure that all certificate validation processes include comprehensive verification of domain names against certificate contents, including both Common Name and Subject Alternative Name extensions. The fix requires updating the WAP gateway software to enforce proper certificate chain validation and hostname verification, aligning with industry best practices established in RFC 2818 and subsequent security standards. Additionally, network administrators should implement certificate pinning mechanisms and regularly audit their certificate validation processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their security infrastructure.