CVE-2018-12336 in Secure Boot Stick
Summary
by MITRE
Undocumented Factory Backdoor in ECOS Secure Boot Stick (aka SBS) 5.6.5 allows the vendor to extract confidential information via remote root SSH access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12336 represents a critical security flaw in the ECOS Secure Boot Stick version 5.6.5, which operates as a hardware security module designed to protect embedded systems through secure boot processes. This device serves as a factory-issued authentication mechanism that ensures only authorized firmware can execute on target systems, making it a crucial component in embedded security architectures. The vulnerability manifests through an undocumented backdoor that provides unauthorized remote access capabilities, fundamentally undermining the security model that the device was designed to enforce.
The technical implementation of this backdoor involves a hidden root SSH access mechanism that bypasses normal authentication procedures and security controls. This flaw exists within the firmware implementation of the secure boot stick and operates at a low level within the system architecture. The backdoor functionality allows an attacker with knowledge of the undocumented credentials or access path to establish a root-level remote session, effectively providing complete administrative control over the affected system. This represents a severe violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the secure development lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it compromises the entire security infrastructure that relies on the secure boot stick for authentication. Attackers can exploit this backdoor to extract confidential information, modify system configurations, install malicious software, or establish persistent access points within networks. The remote nature of the SSH access means that exploitation can occur from anywhere in the world without physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for critical infrastructure deployments. This vulnerability undermines trust in the vendor's security claims and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on the device for embedded system protection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12336 must include immediate firmware updates from the vendor, which should address the backdoor implementation and remove unauthorized access mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems using the secure boot stick, employ network monitoring to detect unusual SSH access patterns, and conduct thorough security assessments of all systems that rely on this device. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-259 Weak Passwords and CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials, as it represents a hardcoded access mechanism that violates industry best practices for secure system design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it provides legitimate access credentials that can be used to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing hardware security modules that provide verified secure boot capabilities without backdoor mechanisms and establish comprehensive security monitoring for unauthorized access attempts.