CVE-2017-13097 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 modification of Rights Block to remove or relax license requirement. 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-2017-13097 represents a critical weakness in the IEEE P1735 standard for protecting electronic-design intellectual property through cryptographic means. This standard was designed to secure sensitive IP assets during design and manufacturing processes, but fundamental flaws in its implementation create severe security risks for organizations relying on this protection mechanism. The vulnerability specifically targets the encryption methods and access control management systems that govern how intellectual property is protected and distributed across various stages of the electronic design lifecycle. When implemented incorrectly, these flawed methods create pathways for attackers to bypass the intended security controls and gain unauthorized access to protected IP assets. The implications extend beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability allows for complete recovery of underlying plaintext IP without requiring the proper cryptographic keys, fundamentally undermining the security model that was intended to protect valuable intellectual property investments.
The technical flaw in the P1735 implementation stems from weaknesses in the cryptographic algorithms and key management processes that are supposed to protect electronic design IP. These weaknesses manifest in the ability of attackers to manipulate the Rights Block structure, which contains critical licensing information and access controls for the protected IP. The vulnerability enables what security researchers classify as a cryptographic weakness that allows for key recovery attacks and plaintext recovery without proper authorization. This represents a direct violation of the fundamental security principles that cryptographic systems are designed to uphold, where proper key management and encryption integrity should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw operates at a protocol level within the IEEE P1735 framework, affecting how access rights are managed and how encryption is applied to protect IP assets during various stages of electronic design and manufacturing processes. The attack vectors leverage weaknesses in the implementation of the standard's cryptographic mechanisms, making it possible for adversaries to obtain the complete underlying plaintext IP without possessing the legitimate cryptographic keys.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond immediate data theft, creating substantial risks for organizations that depend on protecting their electronic design intellectual property. Companies investing millions in research and development can face complete loss of competitive advantage when their IP assets become accessible through these attack vectors. The vulnerability affects not just the confidentiality of IP assets but also the integrity of the access control systems that are supposed to govern who can access what information and under what conditions. Organizations implementing the IEEE P1735 standard may find that their security investments are rendered ineffective, as attackers can exploit these flaws to bypass all intended protection mechanisms. The potential for widespread compromise exists when multiple systems implement the same flawed standard, creating cascading security risks throughout the electronic design ecosystem. This vulnerability particularly impacts semiconductor companies, electronic design automation vendors, and any organization involved in the development or manufacturing of electronic components where IP protection is critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13097 require comprehensive review and potential replacement of affected implementations of the IEEE P1735 standard. Organizations should immediately assess their current implementations to identify systems that rely on the vulnerable cryptographic methods and access control mechanisms. The recommended approach involves transitioning to more robust cryptographic standards that have undergone extensive security analysis and peer review, such as those based on NIST-approved algorithms and security frameworks. Security teams should implement additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting these vulnerabilities. The mitigation process should include comprehensive re-encryption of previously protected IP assets using stronger cryptographic methods and updated access control policies. Organizations must also consider implementing layered security approaches that provide multiple barriers to protect against similar vulnerabilities, including network segmentation, access logging, and continuous monitoring of IP access patterns. The remediation process requires careful planning to ensure that new implementations maintain compatibility with existing systems while providing the enhanced security that the vulnerable standard failed to deliver. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of thorough security analysis for cryptographic standards before widespread deployment, as flaws in fundamental security mechanisms can compromise entire intellectual property portfolios. The incident serves as a reminder of the necessity for continuous security assessment and the importance of adhering to established security frameworks such as those defined by NIST and other recognized security standards organizations.