CVE-2024-29916 in Saflok system
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2024
The dormakaba Saflok system before the November 2023 software update allows an attacker to unlock arbitrary doors at a property via forged keycards, if the attacker has obtained one active or expired keycard for the specific property, aka the "Unsaflok" issue. This occurs, in part, because the key derivation function relies only on a UID. This affects, for example, Saflok MT, and the Confidant, Quantum, RT, and Saffire series.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The dormakaba Saflok system vulnerability CVE-2024-29916 represents a critical security flaw in access control systems that affects multiple product lines including MT, Confidant, Quantum, RT, and Saffire series. This vulnerability stems from the system's reliance on a weak key derivation function that only utilizes the unique identifier (UID) of a keycard for authentication purposes. The flaw creates a significant attack surface where an adversary can potentially unlock any door within a property simply by obtaining access to a single active or expired keycard from that specific location. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of authentication systems and creates a scenario where credential compromise leads to arbitrary access across the entire facility. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring any sophisticated technical knowledge or specialized equipment beyond possession of a legitimate keycard, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a critical failure in cryptographic design principles, specifically related to the key derivation process that should incorporate multiple factors for authentication. According to CWE guidelines, this vulnerability maps to CWE-326: "Inadequate Encryption Strength" and CWE-287: "Improper Authentication," as the system fails to implement proper multi-factor authentication mechanisms. The weakness lies in the system's inability to properly validate keycard authenticity, relying solely on a single identifier that can be easily replicated or guessed. This creates a scenario where the UID serves as the sole cryptographic element, which is fundamentally insufficient for secure access control. The vulnerability exists in the cryptographic protocol implementation where the system should have employed stronger key derivation functions that incorporate additional entropy sources, time-based elements, or challenge-response mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any facility relying on the affected Saflok systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to restricted areas without detection, potentially leading to theft, sabotage, or other criminal activities. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the access control system, where legitimate keycard possession should be sufficient for access but should not enable arbitrary door unlocking. This creates a scenario where physical security is compromised through a digital weakness, affecting both the integrity and confidentiality aspects of the security system. Organizations using these systems face potential regulatory compliance issues, as this vulnerability could violate standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management and NIST SP 800-53 for security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and should include both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations must implement the November 2023 software update that addresses the key derivation function weakness, as this represents the primary fix for the vulnerability. Additionally, security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation to limit lateral movement even if physical access is gained, and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the need for regular security assessments of access control systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1550.002: "Use Alternate Authentication Material" and T1078.004: "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as it enables attackers to leverage legitimate credentials to gain unauthorized access. Organizations should also implement keycard rotation policies and maintain detailed access logs to detect potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all security patches are applied promptly to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.