CVE-2017-12820 in HASP SRM
Summary
by MITRE
Arbitrary memory read from controlled memory pointer in Gemalto's HASP SRM, Sentinel HASP and Sentinel LDK products prior to Sentinel LDK RTE version 7.55 leads to remote denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12820 represents a critical security flaw affecting Gemalto's HASP SRM, Sentinel HASP, and Sentinel LDK product lines. This issue stems from improper input validation within the software components that handle memory pointer operations, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate memory access patterns to read arbitrary memory locations. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems running Sentinel LDK RTE versions prior to 7.55, making it a targeted concern for organizations utilizing older versions of these security products. The flaw resides in the way the software processes controlled memory pointers, allowing unauthorized memory reads through carefully crafted inputs that bypass normal access controls and validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating memory pointer values to access memory regions that should normally be protected or restricted. This arbitrary memory read capability enables attackers to extract sensitive information from the application's memory space, potentially including encryption keys, authentication credentials, or other confidential data. The flaw operates at the memory management level where the software fails to properly validate pointer values before dereferencing them, creating a pathway for unauthorized memory access. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which occurs when a program reads data past the end of a valid buffer, and CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which encompasses failures to validate inputs that can lead to memory corruption and unauthorized access patterns. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, as the flaw can be triggered through network-based attacks against exposed services.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12820 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. While the primary effect manifests as remote denial of service, the arbitrary memory read capability provides attackers with valuable insights into the system's internal state and memory layout. This information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or further exploitation of related vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the security infrastructure, as the compromised systems may no longer provide reliable protection for protected assets. Organizations using affected versions of Sentinel LDK products face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential disruption of critical security services that depend on these protection mechanisms. The flaw's presence in widely deployed security software creates a cascading effect where the compromise of individual systems can impact broader organizational security postures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Sentinel LDK RTE versions, specifically version 7.55 or later, which contain the necessary fixes to address the memory pointer validation issues. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous memory access patterns or unusual network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as attackers may leverage the memory read capability to gather system information and plan further attacks. System administrators should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other software components that might exhibit similar memory management flaws, ensuring comprehensive protection across the organization's security infrastructure.