CVE-2018-15781 in ThinLinux2
Summary
by MITRE
The Dell Wyse Password Encoder in ThinLinux2 versions prior to 2.1.0.01 contain a Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerability. An unauthenticated remote attacker could reverse engineer the cryptographic system used in the Dell Wyse Password Encoder to discover the hard coded private key and decrypt locally stored cipher text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15781 represents a critical security flaw within Dell Wyse Password Encoder functionality embedded in ThinLinux2 operating systems prior to version 2.1.0.01. This issue manifests as a hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the security posture of devices relying on this password encoding mechanism. The flaw exists in the cryptographic implementation where a static private key is embedded within the software, creating a predictable and exploitable weakness that undermines the entire encryption framework.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the implementation of cryptographic algorithms using a fixed, hard-coded key rather than dynamically generated or securely managed cryptographic material. This approach directly violates established security principles and best practices for cryptographic key management as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 and CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of weak or hard-coded cryptographic keys. The presence of such a key within the application source code or compiled binary creates a situation where any attacker with access to the system can potentially extract the cryptographic material through reverse engineering techniques.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to decrypt any locally stored encrypted passwords or sensitive information that was protected using the flawed encryption mechanism. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers without requiring any special privileges or prior access to the system. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where thin clients and remote devices are commonly deployed, as these systems often store sensitive authentication credentials and configuration data that could be compromised through this vulnerability.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant given that the Dell Wyse devices are widely deployed in corporate and government environments where security is paramount. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise multiple systems without requiring physical access or user interaction, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability from a threat modeling perspective. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for Unsecured Credentials and T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to encrypted data and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ThinLinux2 systems to version 2.1.0.01 or later, which should address the hard-coded key implementation. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing additional layers of authentication and access controls, as well as establishing robust key management practices for any remaining systems that cannot be immediately patched. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated firmware to ensure that the cryptographic implementation properly addresses the hard-coded key vulnerability while maintaining system functionality and compatibility with existing deployment environments.