CVE-2015-1878 in nShield Connect
Summary
by MITRE
Thales nShield Connect hardware models 500, 1500, 6000, 500+, 1500+, and 6000+ before 11.72 allows physically proximate attackers to sign arbitrary data with previously loaded signing keys, extract the device identification key [KNETI] and impersonate the nShield Connect device on a network, affect the integrity and confidentiality of newly created keys, and potentially cause other unspecified impacts using previously loaded keys by connecting to the USB port on the front panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1878 affects Thales nShield Connect hardware security modules including models 500, 1500, 6000, 500+, 1500+, and 6000+ prior to firmware version 11.72. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits the physical accessibility of these cryptographic devices through their front panel USB ports. The vulnerability stems from insufficient physical security controls that allow attackers with proximity access to perform unauthorized operations on the device, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the cryptographic infrastructure it protects.
The technical flaw manifests through the device's failure to enforce proper authentication and authorization mechanisms when external USB connections are established. Attackers with physical proximity can connect to the front panel USB port and leverage previously loaded signing keys to perform cryptographic operations without proper authorization. This vulnerability specifically enables the extraction of the device identification key KNETI which serves as the device's unique network identity. The compromised KNETI key allows attackers to impersonate the legitimate nShield Connect device on the network, creating a man-in-the-middle scenario that can compromise both the integrity and confidentiality of all cryptographic operations performed by the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of the cryptographic security model. Once an attacker extracts the KNETI key and gains the ability to sign arbitrary data with previously loaded keys, they can effectively impersonate the device and potentially gain access to all newly created cryptographic keys. This creates a cascading security failure where the attacker can manipulate cryptographic operations, forge signatures, and potentially decrypt sensitive information that was intended to be protected by the device's security measures. The vulnerability affects not only the current session but can also compromise future cryptographic operations that depend on the device's integrity.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, demonstrating inadequate physical security controls and improper key management practices. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1550 (Use of stolen credentials) as attackers can leverage the extracted keys to perform unauthorized operations. The attack vector specifically corresponds to T1086 (Network Sniffing) and T1566 (Phishing) in terms of physical proximity attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 11.72 or later, physical security measures to restrict access to the device's USB ports, and network monitoring to detect unauthorized device impersonation attempts. Additionally, regular key rotation procedures and comprehensive security audits should be implemented to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the cryptographic infrastructure.