CVE-2012-2681 in Cumin
Summary
by MITRE
Cumin before 0.1.5444, as used in Red Hat Enterprise Messaging, Realtime, and Grid (MRG) 2.0, uses predictable random numbers to generate session keys, which makes it easier for remote attackers to guess the session key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2681 affects Cumin versions prior to 0.1.5444, which are utilized within Red Hat Enterprise Messaging, Realtime, and Grid (MRG) 2.0 platforms. This weakness stems from the implementation of predictable random number generation within the session key creation process, creating a significant security risk for systems that rely on these messaging components. The flaw represents a critical failure in cryptographic security implementation where the deterministic nature of the random number generator allows attackers to potentially reconstruct session keys through mathematical analysis or brute force techniques.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient entropy and predictable seeding of random number generators used for session key generation. When cryptographic systems rely on predictable sequences rather than truly random values, they become vulnerable to pattern recognition attacks and statistical analysis. This specific implementation flaw falls under the broader category of weak cryptographic randomness as defined by CWE-330, which specifically addresses the use of insufficiently random values in cryptographic contexts. The predictable nature of the generated session keys means that an attacker who can observe or infer part of the key generation process can significantly reduce the search space required to discover valid session keys.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session key compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the confidentiality and integrity of communications within the MRG 2.0 infrastructure. Remote attackers who successfully guess session keys can intercept, modify, or inject malicious data into messaging streams, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and network reconnaissance, as the predictable session keys can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring extensive computational resources or advanced exploitation techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that MRG 2.0 is designed for high-performance messaging environments where session key security is paramount for maintaining trust boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Cumin components to version 0.1.5444 or later, which includes proper random number generation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and establish procedures for key rotation when possible. The fix addresses the underlying cryptographic weakness by ensuring that session key generation utilizes cryptographically secure random number generators with sufficient entropy sources. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all messaging infrastructure components to identify any other vulnerable systems using similar predictable random number implementations, as this type of vulnerability can manifest in various cryptographic contexts beyond just session key generation. Additionally, organizations should review their overall cryptographic implementation practices to ensure compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-90A for random number generation and strengthen their security posture against similar weaknesses in other cryptographic components.