CVE-2017-1000412 in OP-TEE
Summary
by MITRE
Linaro's open source TEE solution called OP-TEE, version 2.4.0 (and older) is vulnerable to the bellcore attack in the LibTomCrypt code resulting in compromised private RSA key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000412 affects OP-TEE, an open source Trusted Execution Environment solution developed by Linaro, specifically version 2.4.0 and earlier releases. This flaw resides within the LibTomCrypt cryptographic library implementation used by OP-TEE, creating a critical security weakness that directly impacts the integrity of RSA key operations within the trusted environment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of cryptographic operations that allows for potential exploitation of the bellcore attack vector, which specifically targets weaknesses in RSA key generation and processing mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how OP-TEE processes RSA key operations through the LibTomCrypt library, where the bellcore attack can be executed to extract private RSA keys from the system. This attack exploits mathematical properties of RSA cryptography that arise from insufficient entropy or improper random number generation during key creation, allowing attackers to potentially recover private keys through mathematical analysis of the public key and associated cryptographic operations. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic implementation security where the proper protections against side-channel and mathematical attacks are not adequately enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for any system utilizing OP-TEE version 2.4.0 or earlier, as compromised RSA private keys can lead to complete cryptographic breakdown of the trusted execution environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can decrypt sensitive data, forge digital signatures, and potentially gain unauthorized access to protected system resources. This compromises the fundamental security model of the TEE, which is designed to provide isolation and protection for sensitive cryptographic operations and data processing. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity guarantees that OP-TEE is meant to provide to applications and users relying on its security services.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the core cryptographic infrastructure of the trusted execution environment, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and compromise the entire security framework. Organizations using OP-TEE in embedded systems, mobile devices, or IoT applications face significant risk if they have not upgraded to versions that address this vulnerability. The bellcore attack specifically targets the mathematical foundations of RSA cryptography, making it particularly dangerous in environments where secure key generation and storage are critical for maintaining system security.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate upgrade to OP-TEE versions that have patched this vulnerability in the LibTomCrypt implementation, along with comprehensive security assessments of all systems using affected versions. System administrators should implement proper cryptographic key rotation procedures and ensure that all cryptographic operations within the TEE environment are properly validated against known attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions, and also relates to ATT&CK technique T1552.004 which involves the exploitation of cryptographic weaknesses to access protected data and systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that cryptographic implementations adhere to established security standards and best practices.