CVE-2019-0175 in Open CIT
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient password protection in the attestation database for Open CIT may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via local access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-0175 affects the Open CIT attestation database system, which is designed to provide cryptographic attestation services for verifying the integrity of software and hardware components in trusted computing environments. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the authentication and access control mechanisms that protect sensitive cryptographic data within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the password protection mechanisms that should safeguard access to the attestation database, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient password protection mechanisms within the Open CIT attestation database. When an authenticated user gains access to the system, they can potentially exploit weaknesses in the password validation and access control processes to bypass normal security boundaries. This occurs because the system fails to properly enforce strong password policies or implement adequate access controls that would prevent authenticated users from accessing restricted database content. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation or unauthorized data access through local system access, where the attacker can leverage their existing authentication credentials to gain deeper access to sensitive cryptographic information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the attestation database typically contains highly sensitive cryptographic keys, certificates, and integrity verification data that are critical for maintaining trust in computing environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access and manipulate cryptographic material that would compromise the entire trust model of the system. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Open CIT is used for security-critical applications, as it undermines the fundamental security guarantees that cryptographic attestation is designed to provide. The local access requirement means that physical or network access to the system is necessary, but once achieved, the impact can be severe for organizations relying on the integrity of their cryptographic infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strengthening password policies, implementing multi-factor authentication for database access, and conducting comprehensive access control reviews. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which specifically addresses insufficient password strength and protection mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 Access Data: Credentials, as it involves unauthorized access to protected data through compromised authentication mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging for database access attempts, particularly for authenticated users who may attempt to access restricted content. Regular security assessments of cryptographic systems and proper enforcement of the principle of least privilege should be implemented to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in other components of the trust infrastructure.