CVE-2011-2741 in RSA Adaptive Authentication On-Premise
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RSA Adaptive Authentication On-Premise (AAOP) 6.0.2.1 SP1 Patch 2, SP1 Patch 3, SP2, SP2 Patch 1, and SP3 does not properly implement Device Recovery and Device Identification, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended security restrictions on a (1) previously non-registered device or (2) registered device by sending unspecified "data elements."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2741 affects EMC RSA Adaptive Authentication On-Premise version 6.0.2.1 across multiple service packs including SP1 Patch 2, SP1 Patch 3, SP2, SP2 Patch 1, and SP3. This security flaw resides within the device recovery and device identification mechanisms of the authentication system, representing a critical weakness in the platform's access control implementation. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of device registration states and recovery processes, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access to systems protected by this authentication solution.
The technical flaw manifests in the system's failure to properly validate device states during authentication processes. When a device attempts to authenticate, the system should maintain strict validation of whether the device has been previously registered and properly identified within the security framework. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to exploit gaps in device recovery procedures and device identification logic. This weakness specifically impacts scenarios involving both previously non-registered devices and already registered devices, suggesting the flaw affects the entire device lifecycle management within the authentication system. The unspecified "data elements" mentioned in the description likely refer to manipulated authentication tokens, device fingerprints, or session identifiers that can be crafted to bypass the intended security checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on EMC RSA AAOP for security enforcement. Remote attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to protected systems by exploiting the device recovery mechanisms, effectively circumventing multi-factor authentication controls that should prevent access from unknown or untrusted devices. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of adaptive authentication systems, where device trust levels and recovery processes are critical components of access control decisions. The ability to bypass security restrictions for both new and existing devices creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited repeatedly without detection.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including thorough review and strengthening of device registration and recovery processes within their RSA AAOP implementations. Network segmentation and additional access controls should be deployed to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary device recovery features until proper patches are applied. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and relates to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient state management in authentication systems, emphasizing the need for robust device lifecycle management in security solutions. Regular security assessments and monitoring of authentication system logs should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts.