CVE-2016-10213 in AX1030
Summary
by MITRE
A10 AX1030 and possibly other devices with software before 2.7.2-P8 uses random GCM nonce generations, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain the authentication key and spoof data by leveraging a reused nonce in a session and a "forbidden attack," a similar issue to CVE-2016-0270.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10213 affects A10 AX1030 load balancers and potentially other devices running software versions prior to 2.7.2-P8. This represents a critical cryptographic weakness that undermines the security of encrypted communications handled by these network appliances. The flaw specifically resides in the implementation of Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) encryption, which is a widely adopted authenticated encryption algorithm. The vulnerability stems from the use of non-random nonce generation, creating predictable patterns that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of network traffic.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how the devices generate initialization vectors for GCM encryption operations. When nonces are generated using predictable or insufficiently random methods, they become vulnerable to reuse patterns within network sessions. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to perform what is known as a "forbidden attack" where the cryptographic system's security assumptions are violated through nonce reuse. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote attackers to potentially recover authentication keys and forge data without requiring direct access to the network infrastructure. This issue is closely related to CVE-2016-0270, which similarly exploited nonce reuse vulnerabilities in cryptographic implementations, demonstrating the persistent nature of such flaws in network security devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to encompass complete system compromise and man-in-the-middle attacks. Attackers can exploit the predictable nonce generation to decrypt sensitive communications, modify data in transit, and potentially gain unauthorized access to backend systems. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security guarantees provided by the encryption protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where A10 devices handle confidential data such as financial transactions, personal information, or corporate secrets. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying affected devices within their infrastructure and implementing immediate remediation measures to prevent exploitation.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to versions 2.7.2-P8 or later, which address the nonce generation algorithms. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which involves data compression and encryption for exfiltration, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers can provide defense-in-depth measures while awaiting full patch deployment, though these are temporary mitigations rather than permanent solutions. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper random number generation in cryptographic implementations and serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when security-critical components fail to meet established cryptographic standards.