CVE-2012-4566 in radsecproxy
Summary
by MITRE
The DTLS support in radsecproxy before 1.6.2 does not properly verify certificates when there are configuration blocks with CA settings that are unrelated to the block being used for verifying the certificate chain, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and spoof clients, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-4523.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4566 affects radsecproxy versions prior to 1.6.2 and specifically targets the Datagram Transport Layer Security implementation within the software. This flaw exists in the certificate verification process during DTLS connections, creating a significant security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers. The issue stems from improper certificate validation logic that fails to correctly associate certificate verification parameters with the specific configuration blocks being used, leading to potential certificate chain verification bypasses. This vulnerability represents a distinct security flaw from CVE-2012-4523, indicating that multiple certificate validation issues exist within the same software component. The problem manifests when configuration blocks contain CA settings that are unrelated to the specific block used for certificate chain verification, creating a mismatch that allows malicious actors to manipulate the authentication process.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the certificate validation subsystem where radsecproxy fails to properly enforce the relationship between certificate verification configuration and the actual certificate chain being processed. This misconfiguration allows attackers to present certificates that would normally be rejected due to mismatched CA settings, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized client impersonation. The vulnerability specifically impacts DTLS connections used for RADIUS authentication, which is commonly employed in network access control systems and wireless authentication frameworks. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in certificate validation where the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of certificates through inadequate chain validation mechanisms. The flaw operates at the application layer and affects the integrity of the authentication process, potentially allowing attackers to establish unauthorized connections with the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4566 is significant as it enables remote attackers to bypass intended access controls and spoof legitimate clients within networks that rely on radsecproxy for RADIUS authentication. This vulnerability could be exploited in environments where network access control is critical, such as enterprise wireless networks, VPN services, and secure authentication infrastructures. Attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to protected resources by presenting forged certificates that appear valid due to the improper certificate verification logic. The vulnerability affects the authentication integrity of the system, potentially allowing privilege escalation or unauthorized network access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1556.002 - Phishing for Information and potentially T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could leverage the compromised authentication system to establish unauthorized communication channels. The impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass to potentially enable broader network infiltration and data exfiltration activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4566 require immediate deployment of radsecproxy version 1.6.2 or later, which contains the necessary certificate validation fixes. Organizations should also review their certificate configuration files to ensure proper association between CA settings and verification blocks, implementing strict certificate validation policies that enforce proper certificate chain verification. Network administrators should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of authentication events to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the core validation logic by ensuring that certificate verification parameters are correctly linked to the appropriate configuration blocks, preventing the bypass of intended access controls. Security teams should also consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms and regular certificate validation audits to further strengthen the authentication infrastructure. Additionally, network segmentation and access control policies should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts, while implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.