CVE-2013-7469 in Seafile
Summary
by MITRE
Seafile through 6.2.11 always uses the same Initialization Vector (IV) with Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) Mode to encrypt private data, making it easier to conduct chosen-plaintext attacks or dictionary attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7469 affects Seafile versions through 6.2.11 and represents a critical cryptographic weakness that undermines the security of encrypted data storage systems. This flaw manifests in the improper implementation of encryption algorithms where the software consistently employs the same Initialization Vector (IV) when utilizing Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) mode for data encryption. The cryptographic community recognizes such practices as fundamentally flawed due to the predictable nature of IV reuse, which creates exploitable patterns in encrypted data that can be analyzed and leveraged by adversaries. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-329, which specifically addresses the weakness of using predictable or static IVs in encryption implementations.
The technical flaw in Seafile's encryption mechanism stems from its deterministic approach to IV generation within CBC mode operations. In proper cryptographic implementations, each encryption operation should utilize a unique, random IV to ensure that identical plaintext blocks produce different ciphertext outputs. When the same IV is reused across multiple encryption operations, it creates a scenario where attackers can perform chosen-plaintext attacks by analyzing patterns in the encrypted data. This vulnerability enables potential adversaries to conduct dictionary attacks against the encrypted data, as they can exploit the predictable IV behavior to make educated guesses about the content of encrypted files. The specific nature of CBC mode encryption makes it particularly susceptible to these types of attacks when IVs are not properly randomized.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, as it fundamentally compromises the security model that users rely upon when storing sensitive information in Seafile systems. Organizations using affected versions of Seafile face significant risks where encrypted data may be subjected to pattern analysis and cryptographic attacks that could reveal sensitive information without requiring extensive computational resources or advanced attack techniques. The vulnerability affects all private data stored within the system, including documents, files, and other sensitive content that users expect to remain protected through proper encryption mechanisms. This weakness particularly impacts environments where data privacy is paramount, such as healthcare, financial services, and government organizations that handle classified information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7469 require immediate remediation through updating to Seafile versions that properly implement randomized IV generation for CBC mode encryption. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to versions that address this specific cryptographic weakness, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively mitigated through configuration changes alone. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of all systems using affected Seafile versions to identify and remediate the vulnerability. The implementation of proper IV generation practices aligns with NIST guidelines for cryptographic implementation and represents a fundamental requirement for maintaining data confidentiality in encrypted storage systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability may be targeted by threat actors seeking to compromise encrypted data repositories. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the credential access and defense evasion techniques, as it enables adversaries to bypass encryption protections and potentially access sensitive information through cryptographic weaknesses.