CVE-2017-6284 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
"NVIDIA Security Engine contains a vulnerability in the Deterministic Random Bit Generator (DRBG) where the DRBG does not properly initialize and store or transmits sensitive data using a weakened encryption scheme that is unable to protect sensitive data which may lead to information disclosure.This issue is rated as moderate."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6284 affects NVIDIA Security Engine components and specifically targets the Deterministic Random Bit Generator implementation. This weakness resides in the cryptographic subsystem responsible for generating random numbers used in security operations. The DRBG mechanism is fundamental to cryptographic security as it provides the entropy required for generating keys, nonces, and other cryptographic values that must remain unpredictable to maintain system integrity. When a DRBG fails to properly initialize, it can result in predictable or weak random sequences that compromise the entire cryptographic framework.
The technical flaw manifests in how the DRBG handles initialization and data transmission processes within the NVIDIA Security Engine. Proper initialization of a DRBG requires sufficient entropy from multiple sources to ensure unpredictability and resistance to various attack vectors. When this initialization process is flawed, the system may reuse or predictably generate random values that can be exploited by adversaries. The vulnerability specifically impacts how sensitive data is processed and transmitted, creating opportunities for attackers to recover information that should remain confidential. This weakness directly relates to CWE-330, which addresses insufficient entropy in random number generators, and represents a critical failure in cryptographic implementation that undermines the security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks against the affected systems. When cryptographic random number generation is compromised, attackers can potentially reconstruct session keys, predict future random values, or break encryption schemes that depend on the unpredictability of generated numbers. The moderate severity rating reflects the fact that while the vulnerability does not directly enable arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise, it creates conditions where sensitive information can be exposed through cryptanalysis of the weakened random number generation. This weakness affects systems that rely on NVIDIA Security Engine for cryptographic operations, particularly in embedded systems, automotive applications, and other environments where secure random number generation is critical.
Mitigation strategies should focus on ensuring proper initialization of cryptographic components and implementing robust entropy sources for random number generation. Organizations should verify that all NVIDIA Security Engine implementations are updated with patches addressing the DRBG initialization issues. The solution involves ensuring that cryptographic random number generators receive adequate entropy during initialization and maintain proper state management throughout their operational lifecycle. System administrators should also consider implementing additional entropy sources and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following established cryptographic best practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which covers credentials from password storage modules, emphasizing that weak random number generation can undermine credential security and overall system protection mechanisms.