CVE-2012-3582 in PGP Universal Server
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec PGP Universal Server 3.2.x before 3.2.1 MP2 does not properly manage sessions that include key search requests, which might allow remote attackers to read a private key in opportunistic circumstances by making a request near the end of a user s session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3582 affects Symantec PGP Universal Server versions 3.2.x prior to 3.2.1 MP2, representing a critical session management flaw that exploits improper handling of key search requests within user sessions. This weakness creates an opportunistic attack vector where remote adversaries can potentially access private keys by strategically timing their requests near the conclusion of user sessions. The flaw stems from inadequate session cleanup mechanisms that fail to properly terminate or invalidate cryptographic contexts when key search operations are performed, particularly during session expiration phases.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server's session handling architecture where key search requests are processed without proper session state validation. When a user session approaches its natural termination, the server fails to immediately invalidate or destroy cryptographic material associated with key search operations, leaving private key information accessible to attackers who time their malicious requests appropriately. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and represents a classic case of information leakage through improper resource management. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-362, concurrent execution of multiple threads or processes without proper synchronization, as the timing aspects of session expiration create race conditions that attackers can exploit.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to perform privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. The opportunistic nature of the exploit means that attackers can potentially access private keys even when users are not actively performing key search operations, simply by monitoring session lifecycle events and making requests during vulnerable windows. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise long-term cryptographic security, particularly in environments where PGP Universal Server is used for email encryption and digital signature verification. The attack requires minimal resources and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on PGP-based security solutions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3582 should focus on immediate patch deployment to upgrade Symantec PGP Universal Server to version 3.2.1 MP2 or later, which contains the necessary session management fixes. Organizations should implement monitoring of session lifecycle events and establish strict access controls for key search operations to minimize exposure windows. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to the server to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, implementing session timeout mechanisms and automatic key invalidation procedures can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest implementing ATT&CK technique T1552.001, credential access through data hijacking, with enhanced logging and monitoring of key search activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar session management weaknesses in other cryptographic systems, as this represents a common pattern in legacy security implementations that may affect other products with similar architectural flaws.