CVE-2019-19625 in SROS 2
Summary
by MITRE
SROS 2 0.8.1 (which provides the tools that generate and distribute keys for Robot Operating System 2 and uses the underlying security plugins of DDS from ROS 2) leaks node information due to a leaky default configuration as indicated in the policy/defaults/dds/governance.xml document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19625 affects SROS 2 0.8.1, a security framework that generates and distributes keys for Robot Operating System 2 environments while leveraging DDS security plugins. This issue stems from a misconfigured default policy file located at policy/defaults/dds/governance.xml which inadvertently exposes node information within the system. The flaw represents a critical security oversight that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of distributed robotic systems relying on DDS communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the default configuration of the DDS governance policy file, where sensitive node information becomes publicly accessible without proper authorization controls. This leaky configuration allows unauthorized parties to discover and potentially exploit information about connected nodes, their capabilities, and communication patterns within the ROS 2 ecosystem. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and specifically demonstrates how default security settings can create unintended information disclosure channels. The governance.xml file contains policy definitions that should restrict node visibility and communication access, but instead provides excessive exposure of system topology information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for robotic systems deployed in sensitive environments where information disclosure could lead to targeted attacks, system compromise, or operational disruption. Attackers can leverage the leaked node information to conduct reconnaissance activities, identify potential attack vectors, and develop more sophisticated exploitation strategies against the robotic infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables adversaries to understand system architecture, node interdependencies, and communication protocols that form the foundation of security controls. This vulnerability directly affects the security posture of ROS 2 deployments and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1069.001 for credential access through network reconnaissance.
The recommended mitigations include immediate review and modification of the default governance.xml configuration to implement proper access controls and node visibility restrictions. Organizations should ensure that security policies are explicitly defined rather than relying on default configurations that may expose system information. Additionally, regular security assessments of DDS configurations and continuous monitoring of node communications should be implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized access patterns. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of modified configurations to ensure that legitimate system operations are not disrupted while proper security controls are enforced.