CVE-2002-0940 in MSCAPI CSP
Summary
by MITRE
domesticinstall.exe for nCipher MSCAPI CSP 5.50 and 5.54 does not use Operator Card Set protected keys when the user requests them but does not generate the Operator Card Set, which results in a lower protection level than specified by the user (module protection only).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0940 affects the nCipher MSCAPI Cryptographic Service Provider version 5.50 and 5.54, specifically within the domesticinstall.exe utility responsible for installing cryptographic components. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in the implementation of key management and protection mechanisms within the cryptographic subsystem. The issue manifests when users request Operator Card Set protected keys through the installation process, but the system fails to properly utilize these higher-security key components when they are not explicitly generated during the installation phase. This behavior creates a scenario where the system operates with reduced cryptographic protection levels, undermining the security posture that users expect when specifying enhanced protection requirements.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of cryptographic key protection levels within the nCipher cryptographic service provider implementation. When users specify Operator Card Set protection for keys, the system should enforce this enhanced protection mechanism regardless of whether the Operator Card Set was explicitly generated during installation. However, the domesticinstall.exe utility demonstrates a failure in key management logic where it defaults to module-level protection instead of maintaining the requested higher protection level. This represents a violation of proper cryptographic key management principles and demonstrates a clear breakdown in the security controls that should be enforced by the cryptographic service provider. The vulnerability specifically relates to the improper enforcement of cryptographic protection levels and the failure to maintain security requirements specified by the user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness to represent a fundamental failure in security configuration management. When users configure systems expecting Operator Card Set protection for their cryptographic keys, they are essentially requesting a higher security level that should be enforced by the system. The failure to maintain this protection level results in cryptographic keys being stored and processed with reduced security measures, making them more susceptible to unauthorized access and potential compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of cryptographic operations within systems using nCipher MSCAPI CSP, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive cryptographic material that should have been protected at the Operator Card Set level. The security implications are particularly severe in environments where cryptographic keys are used to protect critical data and communications.
Organizations implementing nCipher MSCAPI CSP versions 5.50 and 5.54 should immediately evaluate their cryptographic key management practices and implement compensating controls to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigations include ensuring that Operator Card Sets are properly generated and configured during installation processes, implementing regular security assessments to verify proper key protection levels, and considering alternative cryptographic implementations that properly enforce user-specified protection requirements. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses related to improper key management and protection level enforcement, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in cryptographic operations. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, as it allows for reduced security levels that could facilitate unauthorized access to protected cryptographic resources. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring controls to detect when cryptographic operations are being performed with reduced protection levels, as this vulnerability could potentially be exploited to bypass intended security controls.