CVE-2022-28382 in Keypad Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
An issue was discovered in certain Verbatim drives through 2022-03-31. Due to the use of an insecure encryption AES mode (Electronic Codebook, aka ECB), an attacker may be able to extract information even from encrypted data, for example by observing repeating byte patterns. The firmware of the USB-to-SATA bridge controller INIC-3637EN uses AES-256 with the ECB mode. This operation mode of block ciphers (e.g., AES) always encrypts identical plaintext data, in this case blocks of 16 bytes, to identical ciphertext data. For some data, for instance bitmap images, the lack of the cryptographic property called diffusion, within ECB, can leak sensitive information even in encrypted data. Thus, the use of the ECB operation mode can put the confidentiality of specific information at risk, even in an encrypted form. This affects Keypad Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Drive Part Number #49428, Store 'n' Go Secure Portable HDD GD25LK01-3637-C VER4.0, Executive Fingerprint Secure SSD GDMSFE01-INI3637-C VER1.1, and Fingerprint Secure Portable Hard Drive Part Number #53650.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28382 represents a critical cryptographic weakness in several Verbatim secure storage devices that utilize the INIC-3637EN USB-to-SATA bridge controller firmware. This flaw stems from the implementation of the Electronic Codebook (ECB) mode for AES-256 encryption, which fundamentally undermines the security assurances that users expect from encrypted data protection. The insecure encryption mode creates a predictable pattern where identical plaintext blocks consistently produce identical ciphertext blocks, thereby exposing sensitive information through pattern analysis techniques.
The technical implementation of ECB mode in these devices creates a significant risk because it violates fundamental cryptographic principles that require diffusion properties to prevent pattern recognition in encrypted data. In ECB mode, each 16-byte block of plaintext is encrypted independently, meaning that any repetitive structures within the data will manifest as repetitive patterns in the ciphertext. This characteristic is particularly dangerous for certain types of data such as bitmap images, where identical pixel patterns or structural elements in the original data will result in identical encrypted blocks, allowing attackers to reconstruct portions of the original data through pattern analysis and statistical methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential compromise of user privacy and security assumptions. Attackers can exploit the predictable nature of ECB encryption to extract meaningful information from encrypted data without possessing the encryption keys, effectively bypassing the cryptographic protection mechanisms. This vulnerability affects multiple Verbatim secure storage products including the Keypad Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Drive, Store 'n' Go Secure Portable HDD, Executive Fingerprint Secure SSD, and Fingerprint Secure Portable Hard Drive, all of which share the same vulnerable firmware implementation. The exposure is particularly concerning given that these devices are designed for secure data storage and are likely used to protect sensitive information in enterprise and personal environments.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a direct violation of established cryptographic best practices and standards, specifically addressing CWE-327 which catalogs the use of insecure encryption modes. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a technique for Credential Access or Defense Evasion, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized information extraction without requiring direct access to the encryption keys. The affected devices represent a significant risk to data confidentiality and require immediate remediation through firmware updates or device replacement. Organizations utilizing these storage devices should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to determine the potential exposure of sensitive data and implement additional protective measures such as data masking or alternative encryption methods until the vulnerability is properly addressed through official firmware patches.