CVE-2009-3474 in Shibboleth-sp
Summary
by MITRE
OpenSAML 2.x before 2.2.1 and XMLTooling 1.x before 1.2.1, as used by Internet2 Shibboleth Service Provider 2.x before 2.2.1, do not follow the KeyDescriptor element s Use attribute, which allows remote attackers to use a certificate for both signing and encryption when it is designated for just one purpose, potentially weakening the intended security application of the certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3474 represents a critical flaw in the OpenSAML 2.x and XMLTooling 1.x libraries that are integral components of the Internet2 Shibboleth Service Provider 2.x infrastructure. This issue stems from a failure to properly enforce the KeyDescriptor element's Use attribute, which is a fundamental security mechanism designed to control certificate usage in digital signature and encryption operations. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 2.2.1 for OpenSAML and 1.2.1 for XMLTooling, creating a significant security gap in identity management systems that rely on these libraries for secure authentication and authorization processes.
The technical flaw manifests when the system does not respect the Use attribute specified within the KeyDescriptor element, which should clearly indicate whether a certificate is intended for signing operations, encryption operations, or both. When this attribute is ignored, attackers can exploit the system to use certificates designated for signing purposes for encryption tasks, or vice versa, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire authentication framework. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where certificates that should be restricted to single-purpose usage are being utilized for dual operations, undermining the principle of least privilege and certificate security management. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and specifically targets improper certificate usage patterns that can lead to certificate misuse and potential security breaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple certificate misuse, as it fundamentally weakens the security application of certificates within the Shibboleth authentication system. Attackers who can exploit this flaw gain the ability to manipulate authentication tokens and potentially intercept or forge security assertions, creating opportunities for unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability affects the core trust model of the Shibboleth infrastructure, where the integrity of certificate usage is paramount for maintaining secure single sign-on operations. This weakness can enable man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and other advanced persistent threats that leverage the improper certificate handling to compromise the entire authentication chain. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where Shibboleth is used for critical access control and identity management functions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to OpenSAML 2.2.1 and XMLTooling 1.2.1 versions that properly enforce the KeyDescriptor Use attribute. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of certificate usage within their Shibboleth deployments to identify and correct any improper certificate assignments. The mitigation strategy should include implementing certificate lifecycle management processes that strictly enforce the Use attribute requirements and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized certificate usage patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to manipulate authentication tokens and potentially gain elevated access privileges. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and access controls to compensate for the weakened certificate security posture while the patches are deployed, ensuring that the overall security framework remains robust against exploitation attempts.