CVE-2018-11045 in Operations Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Pivotal Operations Manager, versions 2.1 prior to 2.1.6 and 2.0 prior to 2.0.15 and 1.12 prior to 1.12.22, contains a static Linux Random Number Generator (LRNG) seed file embedded in the appliance image. An attacker with knowledge of the exact version and IaaS of a running OpsManager could get the contents of the corresponding seed from the published image and therefore infer the initial state of the LRNG.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-11045 affects Pivotal Operations Manager versions prior to specific patch releases, creating a significant cryptographic weakness through the use of static random number generation. This issue impacts versions 2.1 before 2.1.6, 2.0 before 2.0.15, and 1.12 before 1.12.22, representing a critical flaw in the cryptographic security posture of these cloud infrastructure management platforms. The vulnerability stems from the embedding of a static Linux Random Number Generator seed file within the appliance images, which fundamentally compromises the randomness properties essential for cryptographic operations. This weakness directly relates to CWE-330, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in cryptographic contexts, and represents a severe deviation from security best practices for cryptographic implementation. The static nature of the seed file means that any attacker who can determine the exact version and infrastructure as a service environment of a running OpsManager instance can potentially reconstruct the initial state of the random number generator.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness to encompass broader security implications for organizations relying on Pivotal Operations Manager for their cloud infrastructure management. When an attacker can predict the initial state of the LRNG, they gain the ability to potentially reconstruct session keys, encryption keys, and other cryptographic materials that depend on proper randomization. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of encrypted communications and data stored within the affected systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that OpsManager serves as a central management platform for cloud environments, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizations that depend on these systems for their operational continuity. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the seed files are published within the images, making them readily available to attackers who can identify the specific version and deployment environment.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper implementation of random number generation within the Linux kernel's cryptographic subsystem, where a static seed file is embedded rather than allowing for dynamic entropy collection from hardware sources and system activities. This approach fundamentally undermines the cryptographic security model by creating predictable random sequences that can be reverse-engineered by determined attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in entropy management practices that should align with NIST SP 800-90A guidelines for random number generation, which require sufficient entropy sources and proper seeding mechanisms. Organizations using affected versions of Pivotal Operations Manager face a heightened risk of cryptographic key compromise, session hijacking, and other attacks that rely on predictable random number generation. The specific nature of this vulnerability also means that attackers can potentially perform offline attacks against encrypted data or communications, as they can reproduce the same random sequences that the system would generate. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.004, which covers the use of cryptographic keys and certificates, and represents a fundamental weakness in the system's ability to maintain secure cryptographic operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to the patched versions of Pivotal Operations Manager to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves conducting comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and implementing a coordinated upgrade process to ensure all instances are updated to versions 2.1.6, 2.0.15, or 1.12.22 respectively. Additional mitigations should include monitoring for any suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around cryptographic key usage and random number generation patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing additional entropy sources and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring that any cryptographic operations relying on random number generation are properly validated for entropy quality. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper entropy management in cryptographic implementations and serves as a reminder of the necessity for regular security assessments and patch management processes to maintain secure system configurations.