CVE-2016-2183 in Siebel UI Framework
Summary
by MITRE
The DES and Triple DES ciphers, as used in the TLS, SSH, and IPSec protocols and other protocols and products, have a birthday bound of approximately four billion blocks, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain cleartext data via a birthday attack against a long-duration encrypted session, as demonstrated by an HTTPS session using Triple DES in CBC mode, aka a "Sweet32" attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-2183 represents a critical cryptographic weakness in the Data Encryption Standard and its triple variant that has significant implications for secure communications across multiple protocols. This flaw stems from the fundamental mathematical properties of block ciphers, specifically the birthday paradox that affects encryption algorithms with limited block sizes. The vulnerability affects protocols including Transport Layer Security, Secure Shell, and Internet Protocol Security, which are foundational to internet security infrastructure and widely deployed across enterprise and government networks. The attack vector exploits the predictable nature of block cipher operations when extended over long periods, making it particularly dangerous for persistent encrypted sessions.
The technical flaw lies in the 64-bit block size limitation of DES and Triple DES algorithms, which creates a mathematical vulnerability where attackers can exploit the birthday bound of approximately four billion blocks to perform successful birthday attacks. This attack demonstrates that when a single encryption key is used for extended periods, the probability of encountering repeated block patterns increases dramatically, allowing attackers to deduce plaintext information from ciphertext. The specific implementation in HTTPS sessions using Triple DES in CBC mode creates a particularly dangerous scenario because the encryption keys remain constant throughout long sessions, providing attackers with sufficient data to mount effective attacks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial across multiple security domains, as it affects core internet protocols that secure billions of communications daily. Organizations using affected protocols face potential data breaches where sensitive information can be recovered from encrypted communications, particularly affecting web applications, secure remote access systems, and network infrastructure. The attack requires relatively modest computational resources and can be executed against long-duration sessions, making it particularly dangerous for high-value targets such as financial institutions, government agencies, and healthcare organizations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential credential theft, intellectual property exposure, and regulatory compliance violations that can result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2183 require immediate protocol upgrades and cryptographic algorithm replacements across affected systems. Organizations must transition from DES and Triple DES implementations to stronger algorithms such as AES with appropriate key lengths, while also implementing session key rotation mechanisms to limit the exposure window for any single encryption key. Network administrators should disable support for weak cryptographic protocols and implement monitoring systems to detect and alert on usage of vulnerable cipher suites. The remediation process involves comprehensive inventory assessment of all systems using affected protocols, followed by coordinated updates to cryptographic libraries, server configurations, and client applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated key management systems that enforce cryptographic best practices and regularly audit their security configurations to prevent recurrence of similar vulnerabilities.