CVE-2016-3127 in Good Control Server
Summary
by MITRE
An information disclosure vulnerability in the logging implementation of BlackBerry Good Control Server versions earlier than 2.3.53.62 allows remote attackers to gain and use logged encryption keys to access certain resources within a customer's Good deployment by gaining access to certain diagnostic log files through either a valid logon or an unrelated compromise of the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-3127 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the BlackBerry Good Control Server logging mechanism. This issue affects versions prior to 2.3.53.62 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how cryptographic keys are handled during system operations. The vulnerability arises from improper logging practices that inadvertently expose sensitive encryption keys used for securing customer deployments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by accessing diagnostic log files that contain these exposed keys, thereby undermining the entire security framework of the Good Control Server environment.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the server's logging subsystem failing to properly sanitize or encrypt sensitive data before writing it to diagnostic files. This creates a situation where encryption keys used for protecting customer resources become accessible through standard file access mechanisms. The vulnerability operates under the principle that logging operations should never expose cryptographic material, yet the BlackBerry implementation failed to enforce this critical security boundary. The flaw specifically impacts the server's diagnostic logging functionality, where encryption keys are written to log files without adequate protection measures.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations using BlackBerry Good Control Server deployments. Remote attackers can leverage either legitimate access through valid credentials or exploit unrelated server compromises to gain access to these diagnostic log files. Once accessed, the exposed encryption keys enable attackers to decrypt and access protected resources within the customer's deployment environment. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as successful exploitation allows for lateral movement and potential full compromise of the secured infrastructure. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor separation of concerns in the logging implementation.
The security implications of CVE-2016-3127 align with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations utilizing BlackBerry Good Control Server should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to version 2.3.53.62 or later. Additional mitigations include restricting access to diagnostic log files, implementing proper file permissions, and establishing monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system files. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack vectors, while regular security assessments should verify that logging operations do not expose sensitive cryptographic material. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure logging practices and proper key management as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security controls.