CVE-2017-18588 in security-framework Crate
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the security-framework crate before 0.1.12 for Rust. Hostname verification for certificates does not occur if ClientBuilder uses custom root certificates.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18588 resides within the security-framework crate version 0.1.11 and earlier in the Rust programming ecosystem, representing a critical flaw in certificate validation mechanisms. This issue specifically affects applications that utilize the ClientBuilder functionality when custom root certificates are configured, creating a scenario where hostname verification is bypassed entirely. The security-framework crate serves as a bridge to native security frameworks on different operating systems, providing cryptographic capabilities including certificate handling and SSL/TLS operations. When developers configure custom root certificates through the ClientBuilder interface, the system fails to perform proper hostname verification, which constitutes a fundamental security weakness in the certificate validation process.
The technical flaw manifests in the certificate validation logic where the security-framework crate does not enforce hostname checking when custom root certificates are present in the trust store. This behavior violates established security protocols and standards, as hostname verification serves as a critical defense against man-in-the-middle attacks by ensuring that the certificate presented by a server matches the domain name being accessed. The vulnerability creates a condition where an attacker could potentially present a valid certificate signed by a custom root certificate authority while the server name does not match the certificate's subject, allowing for successful connection establishment without proper verification. This bypass occurs because the hostname validation code path is skipped entirely when custom root certificates are used, leaving the application susceptible to various cryptographic attacks including certificate substitution and impersonation attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18588 extends beyond simple certificate validation failures, creating significant risks for applications that rely on secure communication channels. Systems utilizing this crate for HTTPS connections become vulnerable to attacks where malicious actors can establish connections to rogue servers using certificates that appear legitimate but do not properly validate the target hostname. This vulnerability particularly affects web clients, API consumers, and any Rust applications that implement custom certificate trust stores for specific environments or organizations. The flaw essentially undermines the security model of SSL/TLS by removing a critical validation step, potentially allowing attackers to intercept communications, redirect traffic, or perform authentication bypasses. Organizations using Rust applications with this crate may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromised communications, and potential regulatory violations due to weakened security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18588 involve immediate upgrading of the security-framework crate to version 0.1.12 or later, where the hostname verification has been properly restored for configurations using custom root certificates. Additionally, security practitioners should conduct thorough code reviews to identify all instances where ClientBuilder is used with custom root certificates, ensuring that proper validation is maintained throughout the application architecture. Organizations should implement monitoring to detect any attempts to use outdated versions of the crate and establish processes for regular dependency updates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses improper certificate validation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and potentially includes certificate manipulation. Security frameworks should also consider implementing additional verification layers and automated testing that specifically validates hostname checking behavior when custom certificates are present, ensuring that cryptographic security controls remain intact even when developers customize trust configurations.