CVE-2021-20146 in Tower Router
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2021
An unprotected ssh private key exists on the Gryphon devices which could be used to achieve root access to a server affiliated with Gryphon's development and infrastructure. At the time of discovery, the ssh key could be used to login to the development server hosted in Amazon Web Services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-20146 represents a critical security flaw in Gryphon devices that stems from improper key management practices within the organization's infrastructure. This issue manifests as an unprotected ssh private key that was inadvertently exposed on devices used for development and infrastructure management. The presence of such a key creates a severe attack surface that allows unauthorized parties to gain direct access to sensitive systems. The vulnerability specifically affects Gryphon's development server infrastructure hosted within Amazon Web Services, making it particularly concerning given the cloud environment's exposure to various threat actors. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in security hygiene and access control management, where cryptographic materials intended for secure authentication were not properly protected or secured.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage of cryptographic keys, and CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues related to key management failures. The technical implementation flaw involves the improper handling of authentication credentials where the private ssh key was stored without adequate protection mechanisms such as proper file permissions, encryption, or secure key management systems. The key's exposure occurred on devices that were part of Gryphon's development infrastructure, suggesting a lack of proper security controls during the development lifecycle. The vulnerability's exploitable nature is heightened by the fact that it provides direct root access to the development server, bypassing all normal authentication mechanisms and authorization controls that should protect such systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the development infrastructure. This level of access enables adversaries to manipulate development processes, potentially introducing backdoors, modifying source code, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the development environment. The exposure of the key on AWS-hosted infrastructure increases the risk of broader compromise, as cloud environments often contain interconnected systems that may share authentication mechanisms or have lateral movement capabilities. Attackers could leverage this access to escalate privileges, pivot to other systems, or use the compromised development environment as a staging ground for attacks on production systems. The vulnerability also poses risks to the integrity of the software development lifecycle, potentially allowing malicious actors to inject code into the development pipeline or compromise the authenticity of software artifacts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-20146 should immediately address the exposed key by revoking access and implementing proper key management practices. Organizations must establish secure key storage solutions such as hardware security modules or cloud-based key management services that provide proper encryption and access controls for cryptographic materials. The implementation of automated key rotation processes and the use of certificate-based authentication instead of static keys should be prioritized. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar exposure issues. The incident highlights the need for comprehensive security training for development teams regarding secure coding practices and proper credential management. Organizations should also implement privileged access management solutions and establish strict access control policies that align with the principle of least privilege, ensuring that authentication credentials are only accessible to authorized personnel with legitimate business needs. The vulnerability underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and automated scanning for exposed secrets in both on-premises and cloud environments to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.