CVE-2021-28213 in EDK2
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2021
Example EDK2 encrypted private key in the IpSecDxe.efi present potential security risks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2021
The CVE-2021-28213 vulnerability involves a security risk associated with an example encrypted private key embedded within the IpSecDxe.efi module of the Intel EDK2 firmware development environment. This particular flaw represents a critical exposure in firmware security infrastructure that could potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network communications. The vulnerability specifically affects the firmware implementation of IPsec functionality, which is designed to provide secure network communication through encryption and authentication mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the inclusion of a hardcoded example private key within the IpSecDxe.efi binary, which serves as a demonstration reference for developers working with the EDK2 framework. This embedded key, while intended for development and testing purposes, has been inadvertently deployed in production firmware implementations, creating a significant attack surface. The presence of this example key means that any system utilizing firmware containing this module could be vulnerable to cryptographic attacks that exploit the predictable nature of the embedded private key. This represents a violation of fundamental cryptographic security principles where sensitive keys should never be hardcoded or exposed in production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic exposure to encompass broader firmware security implications. Attackers who discover this embedded key could potentially impersonate legitimate network endpoints, decrypt sensitive communications, or perform man-in-the-middle attacks against IPsec-protected network traffic. The vulnerability affects systems where EDK2 firmware is used, particularly those implementing IPsec functionality for network security, including enterprise routers, network switches, and embedded systems requiring secure communication protocols. This flaw undermines the trust model of network security implementations that rely on proper key management and cryptographic implementation practices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28213 require immediate action from firmware developers and system administrators to remove or replace the affected IpSecDxe.efi module with properly configured implementations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their firmware repositories to identify all instances of the vulnerable module and ensure that development examples are not being deployed in production environments. The remediation process involves replacing the compromised firmware components with versions that implement proper key management practices and do not contain hardcoded cryptographic material. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and represents a specific instance of improper key management in firmware contexts. Security teams should also consider implementing firmware integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical firmware components.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure development practices within firmware ecosystems and the need for comprehensive security reviews of development artifacts before deployment. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign development examples can create significant security risks when improperly deployed in production environments. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of proper firmware security lifecycle management, including secure code review processes, penetration testing, and continuous security monitoring of firmware implementations. Organizations relying on EDK2-based firmware solutions must ensure their development practices align with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-147 and ISO/IEC 27001 for firmware security management, as well as implement appropriate access controls and change management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.