CVE-2015-6032 in IQ Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Qolsys IQ Panel (aka QOL) before 1.5.1 has hardcoded cryptographic keys, which allows remote attackers to create digital signatures for code by leveraging knowledge of a key from a different installation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The Qolsys IQ Panel vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6032 represents a critical cryptographic weakness that undermines the security posture of residential and commercial alarm systems. This flaw affects versions prior to 1.5.1 of the Qolsys IQ Panel device, which is widely deployed in security infrastructure across various industries. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic security measures where the system utilizes hardcoded keys that remain consistent across different installations, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of static cryptographic keys that are embedded within the device firmware rather than being dynamically generated or securely provisioned for each installation. This design decision violates fundamental security principles and creates a scenario where an attacker who gains knowledge of one installation's cryptographic key can leverage that information to forge digital signatures for code execution across multiple systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and integrity verification mechanisms that the device employs to validate software updates and code execution commands. This weakness enables attackers to bypass security controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to significant risks including unauthorized system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential physical security breaches. The ability to forge digital signatures means attackers can execute malicious code, modify security configurations, or disable protective measures without detection. This creates a cascading effect where a single compromised installation can provide attackers with access to multiple systems, making the attack surface exponentially larger than typical single-device vulnerabilities. The remote nature of the attack vector further compounds the risk as attackers do not require physical access to the devices to exploit this weakness.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and hardcoded keys, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, focusing on credentials in files and T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should immediately implement firmware updates to version 1.5.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, implementing robust monitoring for unauthorized code execution attempts, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect anomalous signature validation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.