CVE-2018-0040 in Contrail Service Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestrator versions prior to 4.0.0 use hardcoded cryptographic certificates and keys in some cases, which may allow network based attackers to gain unauthorized access to services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0040 affects Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestrator versions before 4.0.0, presenting a critical security risk through the use of hardcoded cryptographic certificates and keys. This flaw represents a fundamental weakness in the system's authentication and encryption mechanisms, where developers embedded static cryptographic materials directly into the software rather than implementing dynamic key generation or secure key management practices. The presence of hardcoded credentials creates a persistent attack surface that remains exploitable regardless of system updates or user password changes, fundamentally undermining the security model of the platform. This vulnerability specifically impacts the service orchestrator component that manages network services and orchestration workflows within Juniper's Contrail networking solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of cryptographic materials within the software deployment. When cryptographic certificates and keys are hardcoded into the application code or configuration files, attackers who gain network access to the system can extract these materials through various means including static analysis of binaries, memory inspection, or network traffic analysis. The flaw allows unauthorized actors to potentially impersonate legitimate services, decrypt communications, or gain elevated privileges within the network orchestration environment. This issue directly relates to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through the use of hardcoded passwords or cryptographic keys, and aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to compromise the entire service orchestration framework. Network-based attackers who can reach the Contrail Service Orchestrator components can leverage these hardcoded certificates to establish persistent access to critical networking infrastructure, potentially disrupting service delivery or gaining unauthorized control over network traffic flows. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of orchestration workflows, allowing attackers to modify service configurations, intercept communications between network components, or manipulate service deployment processes. This risk is particularly severe in cloud and virtualized environments where the Contrail Service Orchestrator manages complex service chains and network functions, as it could enable attackers to compromise the entire virtual network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0040 require immediate remediation through upgrading to Juniper Networks Contrail Service Orchestrator version 4.0.0 or later, which addresses the hardcoded certificate issue through proper key management implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the service orchestrator components, deploy monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts, and conduct thorough security assessments of all network orchestration systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive key rotation procedures and implementation of secure key management practices including the use of certificate authorities, automated key generation, and proper access controls. Security teams must also consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for credential access and defense evasion techniques, particularly focusing on preventing the extraction of hardcoded credentials and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.