CVE-2022-2097 in PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools
Summary
by MITRE • 07/05/2022
AES OCB mode for 32-bit x86 platforms using the AES-NI assembly optimised implementation will not encrypt the entirety of the data under some circumstances. This could reveal sixteen bytes of data that was preexisting in the memory that wasn't written. In the special case of "in place" encryption, sixteen bytes of the plaintext would be revealed. Since OpenSSL does not support OCB based cipher suites for TLS and DTLS, they are both unaffected. Fixed in OpenSSL 3.0.5 (Affected 3.0.0-3.0.4). Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1q (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1p).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2097 represents a critical cryptographic flaw affecting OpenSSL implementations of the AES OCB mode on 32-bit x86 platforms. This issue stems from an assembly-optimized implementation utilizing AES-NI instructions that fails to properly encrypt all input data under specific conditions. The flaw manifests when the cryptographic operations are performed on platforms employing the AES-NI instruction set, creating a scenario where portions of memory containing preexisting data remain unencrypted and potentially exposed. The vulnerability specifically impacts the OCB (Offset Codebook) mode of operation, which is designed to provide both confidentiality and authenticity in a single pass encryption process. The technical root cause lies in the assembly implementation's handling of memory boundaries and data processing loops, where certain edge cases result in incomplete data encryption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially compromise the integrity of cryptographic operations. When processing data in place, meaning the same memory location serves as both input and output, the flaw results in sixteen bytes of the original plaintext data being revealed. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the encryption process where the cryptographic implementation fails to overwrite all relevant memory segments, leaving residual data accessible to attackers. The vulnerability affects OpenSSL versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.4 and 1.1.1 through 1.1.1p, representing a significant portion of the OpenSSL cryptographic library releases that were in active use. The flaw's manifestation is particularly concerning because it occurs at the assembly level, making it difficult to detect through high-level code analysis and potentially allowing for sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The security implications of CVE-2022-2097 align with CWE-127, which addresses "Weaknesses in the Design of the Cryptographic Algorithm" and specifically addresses issues with cryptographic implementation correctness. This vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in the cryptographic implementation's adherence to security principles, where the expected behavior of complete data encryption is violated. The attack surface is constrained by the fact that OpenSSL does not support OCB-based cipher suites for TLS and DTLS protocols, which means that network-based attacks leveraging this vulnerability are not possible through standard TLS/DTLS connections. However, the vulnerability remains exploitable in contexts where OCB mode is used directly within applications or in specific embedded systems that utilize OpenSSL's cryptographic functions outside of the standard TLS framework. This classification places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Cryptanalysis" and potentially "Exploitation for Credential Access" when considering the potential exposure of sensitive data.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrade to OpenSSL versions 3.0.5 or 1.1.1q, which contain the necessary patches addressing the assembly-level implementation flaw. Organizations should prioritize updating their OpenSSL installations, particularly those running on 32-bit x86 platforms where the vulnerability is most pronounced. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected OpenSSL versions, paying particular attention to embedded systems, legacy applications, and custom implementations that may not automatically update. The patch addresses the core assembly implementation issue by ensuring complete memory processing and proper handling of boundary conditions during encryption operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of the vulnerability's potential impact on their specific cryptographic implementations. Given the nature of the flaw, organizations should also review their cryptographic usage patterns to identify any applications that might be employing OCB mode directly, rather than through standard TLS protocols, and ensure these applications are updated accordingly. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough testing and validation of cryptographic implementations, particularly at the assembly level where subtle errors can have significant security implications.