CVE-2017-13078 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) allows reinstallation of the Group Temporal Key (GTK) during the four-way handshake, allowing an attacker within radio range to replay frames from access points to clients.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13078 represents a critical flaw in the Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol family, specifically affecting both WPA and WPA2 implementations. This weakness enables attackers to exploit the four-way handshake mechanism used for key reinstallation, creating a pathway for malicious frame replay attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of cryptographic key reinstallation processes within the wireless authentication framework, fundamentally undermining the security assurances provided by these widely deployed protocols.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the Group Temporal Key (GTK) reinstallation process during the four-way handshake phase of Wi-Fi authentication. When a client device reconnects to a wireless access point or when key reinstallation is triggered, the system should properly handle the reinstallation of the GTK without causing cryptographic degradation. However, this vulnerability allows attackers to force the reinstallation of the same GTK, effectively resetting the cryptographic state and enabling replay attacks. The flaw specifically affects the Group Key Handshake component where the access point sends the GTK to the client, and the client fails to properly validate or reject duplicate GTK installations, leading to cryptographic state corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13078 extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise the entire wireless communication session. An attacker within radio range can replay previously captured frames, potentially leading to data modification, session hijacking, or complete network compromise. This vulnerability affects the core security model of Wi-Fi networks, where the integrity and confidentiality of wireless communications are expected to be maintained. The attack requires only proximity to the target network, making it particularly dangerous in public spaces, corporate environments, or any location where wireless networks are deployed without additional security layers. The vulnerability's impact is classified as high severity according to industry standards, with potential for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Network administrators should implement the latest firmware updates from device manufacturers, as many vendors released patches specifically addressing the key reinstallation flaw. The deployment of additional security layers such as network access control systems, intrusion detection systems, and proper network segmentation can help reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous frame patterns and key reinstallation attempts. From a protocol perspective, the vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in key management processes. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under network infiltration and credential access categories, specifically targeting wireless protocol vulnerabilities. Long-term mitigation involves transitioning to more secure wireless protocols such as WPA3, which was specifically designed to address these types of cryptographic vulnerabilities and provides better protection against key reinstallation attacks.