CVE-2019-19627 in SROS 2
Summary
by MITRE
SROS 2 0.8.1 (after CVE-2019-19625 is mitigated) leaks ROS 2 node-related information regardless of the rtps_protection_kind configuration. (SROS2 provides the tools to generate and distribute keys for Robot Operating System 2 and uses the underlying security plugins of DDS from ROS 2.)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19627 affects SROS 2 0.8.1 implementations where the RTPS (Real-Time Publish-Subscribe) protection mechanisms fail to properly enforce security configurations. This issue represents a critical breakdown in the security model of the Robot Operating System 2 framework, specifically within the SROS2 security layer that is designed to provide secure communication between ROS 2 nodes. The vulnerability manifests when the rtps_protection_kind configuration is set to restrict security levels, yet the system continues to expose node-related metadata and information that should remain protected.
The technical flaw stems from an improper implementation of the security configuration enforcement mechanism within the SROS2 framework. Despite the rtps_protection_kind parameter being configured to limit security exposure, the underlying DDS (Data Distribution Service) layer continues to leak information about ROS 2 nodes including their discovery details, network addresses, and communication patterns. This information leakage occurs regardless of the security settings applied, effectively undermining the intended security boundaries between nodes in a distributed robotic system. The vulnerability represents a failure in access control enforcement and configuration validation, which aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and CWE-311 Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for robotic systems that rely on SROS2 for secure communication. Attackers who can intercept network traffic or gain access to the network infrastructure can exploit this information leak to map the network topology of robotic systems, identify critical nodes, and potentially plan more sophisticated attacks. This information leakage could enable adversaries to target specific nodes, understand system architecture, and potentially escalate privileges or execute unauthorized commands. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of robotic systems, as it allows unauthorized parties to gather sensitive information about the operational environment.
Organizations utilizing SROS 2 implementations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of the software, implementing additional network segmentation measures, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The security configuration should be reviewed to ensure that rtps_protection_kind settings are properly enforced, and network traffic should be inspected for unusual information disclosure patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of security configurations within distributed systems, particularly those operating in critical infrastructure environments where robotic systems are deployed.
The vulnerability demonstrates a significant gap in the security architecture of SROS2 implementations and underscores the need for robust security configuration management. This type of information leak represents a common attack pattern documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1082 System Information Discovery, where adversaries attempt to gather information about networked systems to inform their subsequent attacks. The issue also relates to the broader category of security misconfigurations that can lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities, making it a critical concern for organizations deploying ROS 2-based robotic systems in enterprise or industrial environments.