CVE-2018-8117 in Wireless Keyboard
Summary
by MITRE
A security feature bypass vulnerability exists in the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 which could allow an attacker to reuse an AES encryption key to send keystrokes to other keyboard devices or to read keystrokes sent by other keyboards for the affected devices, aka "Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The CVE-2018-8117 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 devices that fundamentally undermines the cryptographic protection mechanisms designed to secure wireless keyboard communications. This vulnerability operates as a security feature bypass, meaning it allows attackers to circumvent the intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized access to keyboard data. The flaw specifically targets the encryption key management system within the wireless keyboard protocol, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit weaknesses in the authentication and encryption processes. The vulnerability affects the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 850 model and represents a significant concern for organizations and individuals relying on wireless keyboard security for protecting sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of AES encryption keys within the keyboard's wireless communication protocol. When the keyboard establishes a connection with a receiving device, it should generate and maintain unique encryption keys for each session to prevent unauthorized access. However, the flaw allows an attacker to reuse previously established AES keys, effectively breaking the cryptographic isolation between different keyboard sessions. This key reuse capability enables an attacker to intercept keystrokes from one keyboard device and potentially inject malicious keystrokes into another keyboard's communication stream. The vulnerability manifests through the wireless communication protocol stack where the keyboard fails to properly validate or refresh encryption contexts, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited across multiple sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, creating a comprehensive attack surface that allows for both passive and active exploitation. An attacker with proximity to affected devices can potentially capture keystrokes from one keyboard and use the reused encryption keys to inject commands into another keyboard's communication channel. This creates a scenario where an attacker could execute arbitrary commands on systems, potentially leading to full system compromise through credential theft, command injection, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the fundamental security model of wireless keyboard communications, where the expectation is that each keyboard session maintains cryptographic isolation from other sessions. This allows for sophisticated attacks such as keystroke injection, where malicious commands can be executed without the user's knowledge, and cross-device data leakage where information from one keyboard can be accessed through another device.
Organizations and individuals should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate firmware updates from Microsoft when available. The recommended approach includes disabling the wireless keyboard when not in use, maintaining physical distance from the device during sensitive operations, and implementing network-level monitoring to detect unusual keyboard communication patterns. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous keyboard behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in key management, and represents a specific implementation flaw in wireless communication protocols that could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input injection. Additionally, the flaw demonstrates characteristics of credential access and execution vulnerabilities that could lead to broader system compromise if exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing device authentication mechanisms and regularly reviewing keyboard device configurations to ensure that security features remain properly enabled and functioning.