CVE-2023-44093 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Vulnerability of package names' public keys not being verified in the security module.Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect service confidentiality.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
This vulnerability resides in the security module of a software system where package names' public keys are not properly verified during the installation or update process. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the software supply chain security model, allowing potential attackers to compromise the integrity of package installations. The absence of public key verification creates an opportunity for malicious actors to inject compromised packages into the system, undermining the trust model that should protect against unauthorized modifications. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality of services by enabling attackers to potentially access sensitive data through compromised package installations that appear legitimate to the system.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in cryptographic verification mechanisms within the security module. When packages are installed or updated, the system should validate the digital signatures using the corresponding public keys to ensure authenticity and integrity. Without this verification step, the system accepts packages regardless of their source or modification status. This weakness aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic failures in authentication and integrity verification processes. The vulnerability essentially creates a trust boundary breach where the system cannot distinguish between legitimate and malicious package distributions, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks or supply chain compromises.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate service disruption to encompass long-term security degradation. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can deploy malicious code through compromised packages that bypass standard security controls, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying system behavior, or establishing persistence within the environment. The confidentiality of services becomes compromised as attackers can manipulate package contents to extract data or install backdoors. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely heavily on third-party package management, where the attack surface increases significantly due to the numerous potential entry points through unverified package installations. The impact is further amplified in enterprise environments where package management systems serve as central points of distribution for numerous services and applications.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the enforcement of strict package verification policies, implementation of automated security scanning tools, and regular security audits of package repositories. The recommended approach involves establishing a robust key management system that enforces public key verification for all package installations and updates. Security controls should include mandatory signature validation checks before package deployment, implementation of secure package repositories with proper access controls, and continuous monitoring for unauthorized package modifications. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing software composition analysis tools that can identify and flag packages without proper cryptographic signatures. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices outlined in the NIST cybersecurity framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.002 which addresses supply chain compromises through package repositories. Regular security training for development and operations teams is essential to prevent configuration errors that could lead to similar vulnerabilities in the future.