CVE-2016-10212 in radware
Summary
by MITRE
Radware devices use the same value for the first two GCM nonces, which allows remote attackers to obtain the authentication key and spoof data via a "forbidden attack," a similar issue to CVE-2016-0270. NOTE: this issue may be due to the use of a third-party Cavium product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10212 affects Radware network security devices that implement Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) encryption for secure communications. This flaw represents a critical cryptographic weakness that undermines the integrity and authenticity guarantees provided by the encryption protocol. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of GCM nonce handling where the same value is used for the first two nonces, creating a predictable pattern that can be exploited by remote attackers to compromise the security of encrypted communications.
The technical flaw manifests in the cryptographic implementation where GCM requires unique nonces for each encryption operation to maintain security properties. When the same nonce value is reused for the first two encryption operations, it creates a condition that allows attackers to perform what is known as a "forbidden attack" similar to the previously documented CVE-2016-0270. This specific attack vector exploits the mathematical properties of GCM encryption where nonce reuse can lead to the derivation of the authentication key, effectively breaking the authentication mechanism that protects against data tampering and spoofing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to forge encrypted data packets and potentially inject malicious content into network communications without detection. This compromise affects the fundamental security assumptions of the Radware devices, allowing unauthorized parties to manipulate network traffic while maintaining the appearance of legitimate encrypted communications. The vulnerability particularly impacts network security appliances that rely on GCM for protecting sensitive data in transit, potentially exposing corporate networks to man-in-the-middle attacks and data integrity violations.
The root cause of this vulnerability appears to be a third-party integration with Cavium products, indicating that the cryptographic implementation was inherited from external vendors rather than being developed in-house. This dependency on third-party cryptographic components highlights the importance of thorough security assessments when integrating external security solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates how cryptographic weaknesses in supporting components can propagate to the primary security devices, creating cascading security risks that extend beyond the immediate product boundaries.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Radware, which would address the nonce generation implementation. Security teams should also consider network segmentation to limit the attack surface and implement additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of insecure cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic protocols. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers could use the compromised authentication keys to maintain persistence and avoid detection in network monitoring systems.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation risks to highlight systemic issues in cryptographic implementation practices within network security devices. This flaw underscores the critical importance of proper nonce management in authenticated encryption schemes and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details can create fundamental security weaknesses. Organizations should conduct comprehensive assessments of their cryptographic implementations and establish rigorous testing procedures for third-party components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in their security infrastructure.