CVE-2019-13604 in U.are.U 4500
Summary
by MITRE
There is a short key vulnerability in HID Global DigitalPersona (formerly Crossmatch) U.are.U 4500 Fingerprint Reader v24. The key for obfuscating the fingerprint image is vulnerable to brute-force attacks. This allows an attacker to recover the key and decrypt that image using the key. Successful exploitation causes a sensitive biometric information leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13604 represents a critical weakness in the cryptographic implementation of HID Global DigitalPersona U.are.U 4500 Fingerprint Reader version 24. This device, previously known as Crossmatch, is widely deployed for biometric authentication purposes in enterprise and government environments. The flaw resides in the obfuscation mechanism used to protect fingerprint image data during transmission and storage, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive biometric information. The vulnerability stems from the use of a short cryptographic key that lacks sufficient entropy to withstand modern brute-force attack methodologies, fundamentally undermining the security assurances typically expected from biometric authentication systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weak key generation process that produces cryptographic keys with insufficient bit lengths or predictable patterns, making them susceptible to exhaustive search attacks. According to CWE-326, this represents a weakness in the cryptographic implementation where the security of the encryption algorithm is compromised by the use of inadequate key sizes or weak key derivation functions. The fingerprint images are processed through a proprietary obfuscation routine that should provide confidentiality protection, but the short key length allows attackers to systematically test possible key combinations until the correct key is discovered. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.004, which involves the exploitation of weak or compromised cryptographic keys to access sensitive data.
The operational impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple data leakage, as fingerprint biometric information is inherently irreplaceable and highly sensitive. Once compromised, this biometric data can be used for identity theft, unauthorized access to secured systems, and persistent authentication bypass attacks. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk since fingerprint templates cannot be regenerated like passwords, making the compromise of such data particularly dangerous. Organizations using these devices face potential regulatory violations under data protection frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and other privacy legislation that mandate the protection of biometric information. The attack scenario typically involves an adversary with network access or physical proximity to the device who can capture the obfuscated fingerprint data and then perform the brute-force attack to recover the key and decrypt the sensitive biometric information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by HID Global, which would address the weak key generation mechanism and implement stronger cryptographic protocols. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, deploying additional layers of authentication, and conducting thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected systems. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and emphasizes the importance of using cryptographically strong keys with sufficient entropy. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures for biometric data breaches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in security-sensitive applications and the need for regular security assessments of biometric systems.