CVE-2019-9861 in Secvest
Summary
by MITRE
Due to the use of an insecure RFID technology (MIFARE Classic), ABUS proximity chip keys (RFID tokens) of the ABUS Secvest FUAA50000 wireless alarm system can easily be cloned and used to deactivate the alarm system in an unauthorized way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9861 represents a critical security flaw in the ABUS Secvest FUAA50000 wireless alarm system that leverages outdated and insecure RFID technology. This issue stems from the implementation of MIFARE Classic authentication protocol which has been widely recognized as fundamentally flawed due to its cryptographic weaknesses and lack of proper security measures. The ABUS proximity chip keys utilize this deprecated RFID standard, making them susceptible to cloning attacks that can bypass the intended security controls of the alarm system.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability manifests through the use of MIFARE Classic cards which employ a weak encryption algorithm based on the Crypto-1 stream cipher. This cipher has been extensively analyzed and demonstrated to be vulnerable to various attacks including key recovery attacks that can be executed with relatively simple hardware and software tools. The vulnerability specifically affects the proximity chip keys used in the ABUS Secvest system where the RFID communication between the key and the alarm panel is not properly authenticated or encrypted. This creates an attack surface where an unauthorized individual can capture the RFID signal from a legitimate key and then use that information to create a functional clone of the original token.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly compromises the security integrity of the ABUS Secvest FUAA50000 alarm system. An attacker who successfully clones a proximity chip key can gain unauthorized access to the protected premises by deactivating the alarm system without detection. This represents a complete failure of the physical security controls that the system is designed to provide, potentially allowing unauthorized entry into homes or businesses. The vulnerability essentially renders the alarm system ineffective as a deterrent since the authentication mechanism can be easily bypassed, undermining the fundamental purpose of the security solution.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in security protocols, and demonstrates the dangers of using deprecated cryptographic standards in security applications. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Credential Access' phases, where attackers exploit weak authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized system access. Organizations implementing security solutions must understand that the use of outdated technologies like MIFARE Classic creates inherent risks that cannot be mitigated through additional software controls alone. The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, property theft, and compromise of the overall security posture of the protected environment.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate replacement of all affected ABUS proximity chip keys with newer RFID tokens that utilize secure authentication protocols such as MIFARE DESFire or other modern cryptographic standards. System administrators should implement additional security layers including monitoring for unusual access patterns and establishing physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the RFID key issuance process. Long-term solutions involve migrating to more robust security architectures that incorporate multiple authentication factors and modern cryptographic protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future implementations.