CVE-2021-22309 in USG9500
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2021
There is insecure algorithm vulnerability in Huawei products. A module uses less random input in a secure mechanism. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by brute forcing to obtain sensitive message. This can lead to information leak. Affected product versions include:USG9500 versions V500R001C30SPC200, V500R001C60SPC500,V500R005C00SPC200;USG9520 versions V500R005C00;USG9560 versions V500R005C00;USG9580 versions V500R005C00.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-22309 represents a critical weakness in Huawei's USG series firewall products that stems from an insecure cryptographic algorithm implementation. This flaw specifically affects the random number generation mechanisms within security modules, creating a predictable entropy source that significantly undermines the cryptographic strength of the affected systems. The vulnerability manifests in products including USG9500, USG9520, USG9560, and USG9580 across multiple software versions, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on these security appliances. The insecure algorithm vulnerability directly violates fundamental cryptographic principles and constitutes a serious deviation from industry security standards.
The technical implementation flaw involves a module that employs insufficiently random input within its secure mechanisms, creating a deterministic pattern that attackers can exploit through brute force methodologies. This weakness in the random number generation process compromises the integrity of cryptographic operations that depend on high entropy sources for their security effectiveness. The reduced randomness allows malicious actors to predict or reverse engineer the cryptographic outputs, potentially gaining access to sensitive messages and communications that should remain protected. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-330, which specifically addresses the use of insufficiently random values in cryptographic contexts, and represents a clear violation of the NIST SP 800-90A cryptographic standards that mandate proper random number generation for security-sensitive applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a pathway for attackers to potentially compromise the entire security posture of affected networks. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable firewall models face significant risks including unauthorized access to encrypted communications, potential man-in-the-middle attacks, and the exposure of sensitive network data that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal computational resources compared to traditional cryptographic attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these firewalls serve as primary security gateways. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread deployment of these specific models across various network infrastructures, potentially affecting multiple organizations simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must prioritize immediate remediation through official firmware updates provided by Huawei, as the affected versions contain known security weaknesses that cannot be adequately addressed through configuration changes alone. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any additional systems that may be exposed through compromised network traffic. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware in controlled environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing network configurations. Security teams must also consider implementing additional monitoring controls and alerting mechanisms to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's nature makes traditional signature-based detection methods potentially insufficient for comprehensive protection.