CVE-2004-2544 in Sidewinder G2
Summary
by MITRE
Admin Console in Secure Computing Corporation Sidewinder G2 6.1.0.01 exports private keys when exporting firewall certificates, which might allow attackers to obtain sensitive information.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2544 affects the Secure Computing Corporation Sidewinder G2 6.1.0.01 firewall appliance, specifically within its Admin Console component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental principles of cryptographic key management and certificate handling. The vulnerability manifests when the system exports firewall certificates, inadvertently including private keys in the export process. This behavior violates established security practices for certificate management and creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the appliance for network security.
The technical flaw stems from improper implementation of certificate export functionality within the administrative interface. When administrators or authorized users attempt to export certificates for backup, migration, or administrative purposes, the system fails to properly separate public certificates from their associated private keys. This oversight creates an inherent weakness in the cryptographic infrastructure, as private keys are typically considered highly sensitive information that should never be exposed during routine operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-313, which addresses the improper storage of sensitive information in exported data, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control and data separation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling sophisticated attackers to compromise the entire cryptographic infrastructure of the affected network. When private keys are exported alongside certificates, attackers who gain access to the exported data can immediately utilize these keys for man-in-the-middle attacks, certificate forgery, and unauthorized decryption of protected communications. The implications are particularly severe for organizations using the Sidewinder G2 appliance for SSL/TLS termination, as the compromised keys could allow attackers to decrypt sensitive traffic flowing through the network. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1552, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and related credential theft methodologies.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary certificate export functionality, implementing strict access controls around administrative interfaces, and conducting comprehensive audits of certificate usage and key management processes. The recommended approach involves configuring the appliance to only export public certificates in standard formats while ensuring private keys remain securely isolated within the system. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing certificate lifecycle management procedures that include regular key rotation and monitoring for unauthorized certificate exports. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper cryptographic key management practices and highlights the need for robust administrative controls in enterprise security infrastructure. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual certificate export activities and alert administrators to potential compromise scenarios.