CVE-2008-1383 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The docert function in ssl-cert.eclass, when used by src_compile or src_install on Gentoo Linux, stores the SSL key in a binpkg, which allows local users to extract the key from the binpkg, and causes multiple systems that use this binpkg to have the same SSL key and certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1383 resides within the ssl-cert.eclass implementation in Gentoo Linux package management system, specifically affecting how SSL certificates and keys are handled during the build process. This flaw represents a critical security oversight in the packaging and distribution mechanism that governs how cryptographic materials are managed across multiple systems. The issue manifests when the docert function processes SSL certificates during package compilation or installation phases, creating a scenario where sensitive cryptographic keys become embedded within binary packages that are subsequently distributed across networks.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of SSL key material within the package build environment. When src_compile or src_install functions execute with ssl-cert.eclass, the system stores the SSL private key alongside the certificate in the resulting binary package. This practice violates fundamental security principles of key separation and proper cryptographic material handling. The stored key becomes accessible to any local user who can extract contents from the binpkg, creating an inherent risk that undermines the security model of SSL/TLS communications. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses and improper handling of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual system compromise, creating a widespread security risk across multiple deployments. When the compromised binary package is installed on numerous systems, all affected machines inherit the identical SSL key and certificate, effectively creating a single point of failure for the entire deployment. This scenario enables attackers who gain access to any single system to potentially impersonate services across all systems using the shared key. The vulnerability essentially defeats the purpose of SSL/TLS security by creating predictable cryptographic material that can be easily extracted and reused. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.004, which covers credentials from password stores, and demonstrates how improper key management can lead to credential compromise at scale.
The implications of this vulnerability extend to certificate authority trust models and the fundamental security assumptions of encrypted communications. When multiple systems share identical SSL keys, it becomes impossible to maintain the cryptographic uniqueness that ensures secure communication channels. The vulnerability creates a situation where an attacker who compromises one system can potentially access communications across all systems using the shared key, effectively breaking the security isolation that SSL/TLS is designed to provide. Organizations deploying packages built with this flawed implementation face significant risk of man-in-the-middle attacks and service impersonation, as the shared key eliminates the cryptographic guarantees that secure communications depend upon. This vulnerability fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems that rely on Gentoo's package management ecosystem for SSL certificate distribution.