CVE-2023-40464 in ALEOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2023
Several versions of ALEOS, including ALEOS 4.16.0, use a hardcoded
SSL certificate and private key. An attacker with access to these items
could potentially perform a man in the middle attack between the
ACEManager client and ACEManager server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-40464 represents a critical security flaw in ALEOS versions 4.16.0 and earlier, where the software employs a hardcoded SSL certificate and private key for secure communications. This configuration fundamentally undermines the cryptographic security model that should protect the integrity and confidentiality of data exchanged between ACEManager client and server components. The presence of hardcoded credentials within the application code creates a persistent security risk that persists across system updates and deployments, as these credentials cannot be easily rotated or revoked without modifying the software itself.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which identifies the use of hardcoded credentials as a significant weakness in software security. The flaw enables attackers who gain access to the system containing the hardcoded certificate and private key to execute successful man-in-the-middle attacks against the ACEManager communication channel. Such attacks allow adversaries to intercept, modify, or steal sensitive data transmitted between the client and server components, potentially compromising the entire system infrastructure that relies on this communication protocol. The attack surface expands significantly because the hardcoded credentials are typically embedded within the application binaries or configuration files, making them accessible to any attacker with sufficient privileges to access the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model of the entire ALEOS ecosystem. When an attacker successfully exploits this weakness, they can decrypt and manipulate communications between ACEManager components, potentially gaining unauthorized access to system controls, configuration data, or sensitive operational information. This compromise affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the managed systems, as the attacker can potentially inject malicious commands or alter system behavior through the intercepted communications channel. The vulnerability also creates a persistent threat that remains active until the software is properly updated or the hardcoded credentials are removed from the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include updating to patched versions of ALEOS, replacing the hardcoded certificates with properly managed ones, and implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach involves rotating all cryptographic keys and certificates through proper key management processes, implementing certificate pinning mechanisms, and establishing automated monitoring for unauthorized certificate usage. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of their systems to identify any other instances of hardcoded credentials and implement configuration management practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.004 for credentials from password stores, highlighting the need for proper credential management and secure coding practices across all system components.