CVE-2023-1672 in Tang
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2023
A race condition exists in the Tang server functionality for key generation and key rotation. This flaw results in a small time window where Tang private keys become readable by other processes on the same host.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1672 represents a critical race condition within the Tang server implementation that specifically affects key generation and key rotation operations. This flaw resides in the server-side functionality responsible for managing cryptographic keys used in the Tang key management system, which is designed to provide secure key distribution and management for Linux systems. The race condition manifests during the transitional periods when the Tang server generates new keys or rotates existing ones, creating a temporal window where sensitive cryptographic material becomes temporarily accessible to unauthorized processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms during key lifecycle operations within the Tang server daemon. When the server attempts to generate or rotate cryptographic keys, multiple threads or processes may simultaneously access the key storage areas without proper locking mechanisms. This concurrency issue creates a narrow time window where private key material remains in memory or temporary storage locations that are accessible to other processes running on the same host system. The vulnerability is classified as a race condition under CWE-362, which specifically addresses concurrent execution issues that can lead to security flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems relying on Tang for key management, particularly in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios. During the brief window when private keys become accessible, malicious processes could potentially extract cryptographic material that would compromise the security of encrypted data. This risk extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable man-in-the-middle attacks, key forgery, or unauthorized decryption of data protected by the Tang-managed keys. The vulnerability affects systems where Tang is used for full disk encryption, filesystem encryption, or other security-sensitive applications that depend on the confidentiality of key material.
Systems utilizing Tang server functionality for key management are particularly vulnerable to this race condition, especially in environments where multiple processes or users share the same host resources. The attack surface expands when considering that the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation through key material access, potentially enabling attackers to bypass encryption protections. Organizations using Tang for security-critical applications should immediately assess their exposure to this vulnerability, particularly in production environments where the risk of unauthorized access to cryptographic keys could result in significant data breaches or compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1672 should include immediate deployment of vendor patches or updates that address the race condition through proper synchronization mechanisms. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access to key material during key rotation operations and consider implementing additional access controls or isolation measures. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK framework tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and technique T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) to ensure comprehensive protection against exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also review their key management processes and implement proper key lifecycle management practices that minimize the exposure window for cryptographic material during generation and rotation operations.