CVE-2018-8902 in Avalanche
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Ivanti Avalanche for all versions between 5.3 and 6.2. The impacted products used a single shared key encryption model to encrypt data. A user with access to system databases can use the discovered key to access potentially confidential stored data, which may include Wi-Fi passwords. This discovered key can be used for all instances of the product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8902 affects Ivanti Avalanche versions 5.3 through 6.2, representing a critical cryptographic weakness in the product's data protection mechanisms. This issue stems from the implementation of a single shared key encryption model that is used across all instances of the software, creating a fundamental security flaw that undermines the confidentiality of stored data. The vulnerability exposes the system to unauthorized access through database-level compromise, where an attacker with legitimate access to the system databases can leverage the discovered encryption key to decrypt sensitive information. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and cryptographic separation that should normally protect different data elements within a system.
The technical flaw manifests as a cryptographic implementation error classified under CWE-327, specifically involving the use of weak encryption algorithms or improper key management practices. The shared key model eliminates the cryptographic isolation that should exist between different data sets, making the entire system vulnerable to a single point of failure. When an attacker gains access to the system databases, they can utilize the same encryption key that protects all instances of the Avalanche product, enabling them to decrypt any stored confidential information including Wi-Fi passwords and other sensitive credentials. This represents a severe violation of data protection principles and demonstrates a lack of proper key rotation and management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates a persistent threat vector that remains active across all instances of the affected software. An attacker who compromises the database access can potentially access multiple systems simultaneously, as the same key serves all installations of the product. This creates a significant risk for organizations that deploy multiple instances of Ivanti Avalanche, as a single breach can compromise all encrypted data within the environment. The vulnerability particularly affects wireless network security since Wi-Fi passwords are stored in the encrypted database, making it possible for attackers to gain unauthorized access to wireless networks and potentially escalate their privileges within the network infrastructure.
The implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on unsecured credentials and credential access through database exploitation. Organizations implementing Ivanti Avalanche are exposed to both internal and external threats, as the shared key model provides attackers with a straightforward path to decrypt all stored data once database access is obtained. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the universal nature of the encryption key, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where database access controls may be insufficient or compromised. This weakness also violates industry standards for secure data handling and encryption key management, as proper cryptographic practices would require unique keys per data set or instance to prevent such widespread compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate database access controls and key management improvements. Organizations must implement strict database access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the system databases containing the encryption keys. The shared key model should be replaced with a more secure approach using unique encryption keys for each data instance or implementing proper key rotation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring and alerting systems to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper key management practices and the need for cryptographic implementations that follow established security standards to prevent single points of failure in data protection systems.