CVE-2014-5270 in Libgcrypt
Summary
by MITRE
Libgcrypt before 1.5.4, as used in GnuPG and other products, does not properly perform ciphertext normalization and ciphertext randomization, which makes it easier for physically proximate attackers to conduct key-extraction attacks by leveraging the ability to collect voltage data from exposed metal, a different vector than CVE-2013-4576.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-5270 represents a significant weakness in the cryptographic library libgcrypt that affects numerous security products including GnuPG and other applications relying on this library. This flaw specifically targets the implementation of cryptographic operations related to ciphertext handling and randomization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient normalization of ciphertext data and inadequate randomization processes during cryptographic operations, creating exploitable patterns that can be leveraged by attackers with physical proximity to target systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure of libgcrypt to properly handle ciphertext normalization and randomization during cryptographic processing. When cryptographic operations are performed, the library should ensure that ciphertext data is properly normalized and randomized to prevent attackers from inferring information through side-channel analysis. The absence of proper normalization and randomization creates predictable patterns in the cryptographic operations that can be exploited. This weakness allows attackers to collect voltage data from exposed metal components of the target system, effectively creating a physical side-channel attack vector that differs from the more commonly known power analysis attacks described in CVE-2013-4576.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly concerning for systems that rely on libgcrypt for cryptographic security, as it enables physically proximate attackers to conduct key-extraction attacks with significantly reduced complexity compared to traditional cryptanalytic approaches. Attackers with physical access to target systems can exploit the voltage data collection capabilities to reverse-engineer cryptographic keys by analyzing the electrical signatures of the cryptographic operations. This attack vector represents a serious threat to systems where physical security measures may be insufficient, particularly in environments where attackers might have access to exposed hardware components. The vulnerability affects not just GnuPG but any application that utilizes libgcrypt for its cryptographic operations, potentially compromising thousands of systems across various industries.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and attack methodologies, particularly those related to side-channel attacks and physical security breaches. From a CWE perspective, this issue relates to weakness categories involving improper handling of cryptographic data and insufficient randomization in cryptographic implementations. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the "Credential Access" and "Defense Evasion" domains, specifically targeting the exploitation of physical side-channel information to extract cryptographic keys. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics consistent with fault injection attacks and power analysis techniques that are commonly categorized in security assessments involving hardware-level cryptographic attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5270 require immediate updates to libgcrypt to version 1.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper ciphertext normalization and randomization. Organizations should also implement additional physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to exposed hardware components that could be exploited for voltage data collection. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all applications relying on libgcrypt and ensure proper patching across all affected systems. The implementation of proper cryptographic key management practices, including regular key rotation and enhanced physical security controls, should be prioritized to reduce the attack surface and limit potential exploitation of this vulnerability.