CVE-2017-13092 in P1735
Summary
by MITRE
The P1735 IEEE standard describes flawed methods for encrypting electronic-design intellectual property (IP), as well as the management of access rights for such IP, including improperly specified HDL syntax allows use of an EDA tool as a decryption oracle. The methods are flawed and, in the most egregious cases, enable attack vectors that allow recovery of the entire underlying plaintext IP. Implementations of IEEE P1735 may be weak to cryptographic attacks that allow an attacker to obtain plaintext intellectual property without the key, among other impacts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-13092 represents a critical flaw in the IEEE P1735 standard for protecting electronic-design intellectual property through cryptographic methods. This standard was designed to secure sensitive IP assets during the design and manufacturing processes of integrated circuits and electronic systems. The weakness lies in the improper implementation of encryption algorithms and access control mechanisms that govern how intellectual property is protected throughout the electronic design automation lifecycle. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of hardware description language syntax within EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools, creating a fundamental security vulnerability that undermines the very purpose of IP protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper specification of HDL (Hardware Description Language) syntax within the P1735 framework, which allows attackers to exploit EDA tools as decryption oracles. This means that malicious actors can manipulate the tool's behavior to extract information about the encrypted IP without possessing the legitimate cryptographic keys. The vulnerability operates through a combination of weak cryptographic primitives and flawed access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate input parameters. When an attacker submits specially crafted HDL code to an EDA tool implementing P1735, the tool's response can inadvertently reveal information about the underlying plaintext, effectively turning the legitimate design tool into an oracle for cryptographic recovery. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of cryptographic weakness and improper input validation, with direct implications for both confidentiality and integrity of protected IP assets.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13092 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of electronic design processes. Organizations that implement P1735-compliant systems face significant risks including complete intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability enables attackers to recover entire plaintext IP without authorization, which can result in substantial financial losses and damage to corporate reputation. This weakness affects the entire supply chain of electronic design, as IP protection failures in one component can compromise the security of the entire system. The impact is particularly severe for semiconductor manufacturers, system-on-chip designers, and other organizations that rely on proprietary IP to maintain their competitive position in the market. The vulnerability also creates potential compliance issues with industry standards and regulations that require adequate protection of intellectual property assets.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate corrective actions and long-term architectural improvements to the IP protection framework. Organizations should immediately cease using implementations of P1735 that exhibit this weakness and transition to more robust encryption standards that properly implement authenticated encryption with associated data. The recommended approach involves implementing cryptographic libraries that have been vetted for security and have undergone proper cryptographic review processes. Security controls should include input validation mechanisms that prevent malicious HDL syntax from being processed by EDA tools, as well as comprehensive access control measures that limit the ability of unauthorized parties to interact with encryption functions. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging systems that can detect anomalous behavior in EDA tools that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the need for thorough security review of standards before widespread deployment, aligning with best practices outlined in the NIST Cryptographic Standards and the CWE-310 Cryptographic Weaknesses category. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of the updated systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed and that no additional weaknesses have been introduced during the transition to more secure implementations.