CVE-2006-1115 in Ncipher Software Cd
Summary
by MITRE
nCipher HSM before 2.22.6, when generating a Diffie-Hellman public/private key pair without any specified DiscreteLogGroup parameters, chooses random parameters that could allow an attacker to crack the private key in significantly less time than a brute force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1115 affects nCipher Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) versions prior to 2.22.6, specifically addressing weaknesses in the Diffie-Hellman key generation process. This issue represents a critical flaw in cryptographic implementation that fundamentally undermines the security assurances provided by the HSM. When the HSM generates Diffie-Hellman key pairs without explicitly specifying DiscreteLogGroup parameters, it automatically selects random parameters that inadvertently create predictable cryptographic structures. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of key generation algorithms where the system fails to validate or properly randomize the mathematical parameters required for secure Diffie-Hellman operations. This flaw falls under the category of cryptographic weakness as defined by CWE-326, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms. The attack vector involves an adversary who can exploit the predictable nature of the randomly chosen parameters to perform more efficient attacks against the private key compared to traditional brute force methods. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1587.001 which covers the use of compromised credentials, as the weakened cryptographic parameters effectively compromise the security of the key material.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on nCipher HSMs for secure key management. When attackers can reduce the computational complexity required to crack Diffie-Hellman private keys, they gain unauthorized access to encrypted communications, digital signatures, and other security services that depend on the strength of these cryptographic operations. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where HSMs are used for SSL/TLS termination, secure email, or any application requiring forward secrecy through Diffie-Hellman key exchange. Organizations may experience data breaches, loss of confidential information, and compromised security infrastructure when this vulnerability exists in their cryptographic systems. The reduced security margin means that what should be computationally infeasible attacks become practically achievable, especially with modern computational resources and specialized cryptographic tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to nCipher HSM firmware versions 2.22.6 or later, which address the improper parameter selection during Diffie-Hellman key generation. System administrators must also conduct comprehensive audits of existing cryptographic key material to identify potentially compromised keys that were generated using affected HSM versions. Key rotation procedures should be implemented immediately for any Diffie-Hellman key pairs created before the firmware update, as these keys may no longer provide adequate security protection. Organizations should also review their cryptographic implementation practices to ensure that all Diffie-Hellman operations explicitly specify DiscreteLogGroup parameters rather than relying on automatic parameter selection. Additional security measures include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic parameter validation and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can have major security implications, aligning with ATT&CK techniques for privilege escalation and credential access through cryptographic weaknesses.