CVE-2016-15006 in enigmaX
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in enigmaX up to 2.2. This issue affects the function getSeed of the file main.c of the component Scrambling Table Handler. The manipulation leads to predictable seed in pseudo-random number generator (prng). The attack may be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 2.3 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 922bf90ca14a681629ba0b807a997a81d70225b5. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217181 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15006 represents a critical weakness in the enigmaX software version 2.2 and earlier, specifically within the Scrambling Table Handler component. This flaw resides in the getSeed function located in the main.c file, where the predictable generation of seeds for pseudo-random number generators creates a significant security risk. The issue falls under the CWE-330 category of using weak random number generators, which directly impacts the cryptographic security of the system. The vulnerability's classification as remotely exploitable means that attackers can potentially manipulate the pseudo-random number generation process from external positions without requiring physical access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inadequate seeding mechanism within the Scrambling Table Handler's getSeed function, which generates predictable values that can be easily guessed or reverse-engineered by malicious actors. When a pseudo-random number generator produces predictable outputs, it undermines the entire cryptographic foundation that relies on randomness for security guarantees. This weakness allows attackers to potentially reconstruct the sequence of random numbers used by the system, thereby compromising the scrambling mechanisms that are meant to protect sensitive data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple predictability as it fundamentally weakens the cryptographic security model of the enigmaX platform, making it susceptible to various attacks including key recovery, session prediction, and cryptographic breakage.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, as the predictable seed generation creates opportunities for attackers to bypass cryptographic protections and potentially gain unauthorized access to protected information. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in distributed environments. The attack surface is expanded due to the nature of pseudo-random number generator predictability, which can affect not only the immediate cryptographic functions but also any downstream processes that depend on secure random number generation for their operation. This vulnerability directly violates the principles of secure random number generation as outlined in NIST SP 800-90A and other cryptographic standards that require cryptographically secure pseudo-random number generators.
The recommended remediation approach involves upgrading to enigmaX version 2.3, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash 922bf90ca14a681629ba0b807a997a81d70225b5. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing proper seeding mechanisms for the pseudo-random number generator within the Scrambling Table Handler component. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as a critical security measure, particularly in environments where the enigmaX software is used for cryptographic operations or security-sensitive applications. The patch likely addresses the underlying weakness by ensuring that the getSeed function properly initializes the random number generator with cryptographically secure entropy sources, thereby eliminating the predictability that was exploited by attackers. Additional mitigations may include implementing network segmentation, monitoring for anomalous access patterns, and conducting security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. The vulnerability's assignment of VDB-217181 underscores the importance of tracking and managing such issues through proper vulnerability databases and security information sharing channels.