CVE-2019-13352 in Cynap
Summary
by MITRE
WolfVision Cynap before 1.30j uses a static, hard-coded cryptographic secret for generating support PINs for the 'forgot password' feature. By knowing this static secret and the corresponding algorithm for calculating support PINs, an attacker can reset the ADMIN password and thus gain remote access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13352 affects WolfVision Cynap devices running firmware versions prior to 1.30j, presenting a critical security weakness in the device's password recovery mechanism. This flaw resides in the implementation of the 'forgot password' feature where the system employs a static, hard-coded cryptographic secret for generating support PINs. The use of such a fixed secret represents a fundamental failure in cryptographic security practices and directly violates established principles of secure key management as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 15408. The static nature of this secret means that once discovered, it provides attackers with a persistent means of accessing the device's administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's design decision to embed a cryptographic secret directly within the firmware code rather than generating dynamic, random secrets for each password reset request. This approach creates a single point of failure where knowledge of the static secret allows an attacker to compute valid support PINs for any administrative account. The algorithm used for PIN calculation is also hardcoded, meaning that both the secret and the mathematical process for generating PINs are readily available to anyone who can access the device's firmware or documentation. This represents a violation of the principle of keeping cryptographic secrets confidential and demonstrates poor adherence to the security principle of least privilege. The vulnerability falls under CWE-326 which specifically addresses the use of weak encryption due to insufficient key length or improper key management, and also aligns with CWE-312 which covers the exposure of sensitive data through hard-coded credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to completely compromise administrative access to WolfVision Cynap devices without requiring any additional authentication factors or physical access. Once an attacker obtains the static cryptographic secret, they can reset administrative passwords and gain full control over the device, potentially enabling them to modify device configurations, access stored data, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides a path to persistent access that can be maintained across device reboots or configuration changes, as the secret remains constant regardless of device state. The attack vector is relatively simple and does not require sophisticated techniques, making it accessible to threat actors of varying skill levels and increasing the likelihood of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates to version 1.30j or later, which addresses the hardcoded cryptographic secret issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. Additional security measures include changing default administrative credentials, implementing network access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of connected devices. The remediation process should include verifying that the updated firmware properly implements dynamic, random cryptographic secrets for password recovery functions and that no static secrets remain embedded in the system. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper cryptographic implementation as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential access through social engineering or exploitation of weak credential mechanisms.