CVE-2015-8086 in AR Router
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei AR routers with software before V200R007C00SPC100; Quidway S9300 routers with software before V200R009C00; S12700 routers with software before V200R008C00SPC500; S9300, Quidway S5300, and S5300 routers with software before V200R007C00; and S5700 routers with software before V200R007C00SPC500 makes it easier for remote authenticated administrators to obtain encryption keys and ciphertext passwords via vectors related to key storage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8086 affects multiple Huawei router models including AR, S9300, S12700, S5300, and S5700 series devices. This security flaw resides in the key storage mechanisms of these network appliances, specifically within firmware versions prior to the mentioned release thresholds. The vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the router's cryptographic implementation that undermines the security of sensitive network credentials and encryption materials. Organizations relying on these devices for network infrastructure face potential exposure to credential compromise and unauthorized access to encrypted communications. The issue stems from inadequate protection mechanisms for cryptographic keys and password storage within the router's operating system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to extract sensitive information that should remain protected.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of key storage operations within the router's software architecture. When authenticated administrators access the device, the vulnerability allows them to extract encryption keys and ciphertext passwords that are typically protected by strong cryptographic mechanisms. This weakness occurs because the system fails to adequately secure the storage locations where cryptographic materials are maintained, potentially exposing keys in plaintext or through weak encryption methods. The vulnerability specifically impacts the key management processes that occur during normal administrative operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by legitimate users who have already gained authentication access. The flaw relates to the improper implementation of cryptographic storage protocols and the lack of adequate access controls for sensitive cryptographic materials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass potential network compromise and unauthorized access to encrypted communications. An attacker who exploits this vulnerability could gain access to network encryption keys that would allow them to decrypt sensitive traffic passing through the affected routers. This could result in complete exposure of network communications, including user credentials, confidential data transfers, and sensitive business information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects remote authenticated administrators, meaning that even legitimate users with proper credentials could potentially exploit this weakness to access other users' encrypted data. This creates a significant risk for organizations where administrative access is granted to multiple users, as the vulnerability could enable lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched firmware versions specified in the vulnerability advisory, which addresses the key storage implementation issues. System administrators should also review and strengthen access control policies, ensuring that only necessary personnel have administrative access to critical network infrastructure. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in key management, and maps to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of affected firmware versions within the network infrastructure, as the exploitation of this vulnerability could provide attackers with persistent access to network resources and the ability to intercept encrypted communications.