CVE-2012-2287 in RSA Authentication Agent
Summary
by MITRE
The authentication functionality in EMC RSA Authentication Agent 7.1 and RSA Authentication Client 3.5 on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, when an unspecified configuration exists, allows remote authenticated users to bypass an intended token-authentication step, and establish a login session to a remote host, by leveraging Windows credentials for that host.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2287 represents a critical weakness in the authentication mechanisms of EMC RSA Authentication Agent 7.1 and RSA Authentication Client 3.5 versions running on legacy Windows operating systems. This flaw specifically affects Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 environments where certain unspecified configuration conditions exist, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to circumvent the intended security controls. The vulnerability resides within the authentication functionality itself, where the system fails to properly enforce the required token-authentication step that should occur during the authentication process. This misconfiguration allows attackers to leverage existing Windows credentials associated with the target host to establish unauthorized login sessions, effectively bypassing the additional security layers that RSA Authentication was designed to provide.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from an improper validation of authentication states within the RSA Authentication framework. When the specific configuration conditions are met, the system does not adequately verify that the token-authentication step has been successfully completed before granting access to the target host. This creates a scenario where an attacker who has already authenticated to the system using legitimate Windows credentials can potentially skip the RSA token verification process entirely. The flaw operates at the intersection of credential management and authentication protocol handling, where the system fails to maintain proper state tracking between the initial Windows authentication and the subsequent RSA token validation. This misconfiguration allows the authentication flow to proceed without the required cryptographic token verification, effectively creating a backdoor that bypasses the intended multi-factor authentication controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on RSA Authentication for securing remote access to their systems. The ability to bypass token authentication means that attackers who have gained access to legitimate Windows credentials can establish unauthorized sessions without providing the required RSA token, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects legacy environments where Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are still operational, as these systems are no longer receiving security updates and are more susceptible to exploitation. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain remote access capabilities. The vulnerability essentially undermines the core principle of multi-factor authentication by allowing attackers to bypass one of the critical authentication factors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to supported versions of RSA Authentication Agent and Client software, as well as ensuring that all systems are running current security patches. The configuration conditions that trigger this vulnerability should be identified and remediated through proper security hardening procedures. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized authentication attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability violates fundamental security principles outlined in standards such as nist 800-53 and iso 27001, which emphasize the importance of proper authentication controls and multi-factor authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the mitre att&ck framework under the credential access and defense evasion domains, where adversaries seek to bypass authentication mechanisms and maintain persistent access to target systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as network access control, intrusion detection systems, and comprehensive logging to detect and respond to exploitation attempts.