CVE-2024-45837 in IX-MV
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2024
Use of hard-coded cryptographic key issue exists in AIPHONE IX SYSTEM, IXG SYSTEM, and System Support Software. A network-adjacent unauthenticated attacker may log in to SFTP service and obtain and/or manipulate unauthorized files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45837 represents a critical security flaw in AIPHONE IX SYSTEM, IXG SYSTEM, and their associated System Support Software platforms. This issue stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic security measures through the use of hard-coded keys within the system architecture. The presence of such static cryptographic material creates a fundamental weakness that directly compromises the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted through the SFTP service. The vulnerability affects network-adjacent attackers who can exploit this flaw without requiring authentication credentials, making the attack surface significantly broader than typical security breaches. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-327 category of use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm, and more specifically aligns with CWE-320 which addresses the use of hard-coded cryptographic keys. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables unauthenticated access to sensitive data repositories through the SFTP protocol, which is typically considered a secure method for file transfers. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows for potential data manipulation and exfiltration of confidential information. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain persistent access to the system, potentially leading to further exploitation through lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The affected AIPHONE systems are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where secure communication and data protection are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. The hard-coded nature of the cryptographic key means that the security of the entire system relies on the secrecy of this single element, which is inherently flawed given the complexity of modern network environments. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing, as attackers can use the compromised SFTP access to establish persistent access and potentially escalate privileges. The configuration of these systems likely includes default settings that have not been properly updated with unique cryptographic material, creating a widespread exposure across multiple installations of the affected software versions. Organizations utilizing these systems face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in security configuration management and highlights the importance of implementing proper key management practices within secure communication systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise from attackers, as the hard-coded keys eliminate the need for complex cryptographic attacks or brute force attempts. Network-adjacent attackers can simply connect to the SFTP service and leverage the predetermined cryptographic keys to establish authenticated sessions without any prior knowledge of user credentials or system passwords. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with limited technical capabilities. The SFTP service in question serves as a critical communication channel for business operations, making unauthorized access to this service particularly damaging to organizational security posture. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate data stored within the SFTP repositories but also potentially exposes other connected systems that rely on the same cryptographic infrastructure. The lack of proper key rotation and management procedures indicates a broader security misconfiguration that extends beyond this single vulnerability. Security monitoring systems may not detect this attack vector effectively since the authentication process appears legitimate to the system, making detection more challenging. The hard-coded cryptographic keys likely persist across multiple system versions, creating a sustained risk that requires immediate remediation across all affected installations. This vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper security configuration management, as the system provides access to sensitive data without proper authentication mechanisms. The impact of exploitation can extend to regulatory compliance violations under frameworks such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss, depending on the type of data being accessed. Organizations should immediately implement security patches or workarounds to address this vulnerability and ensure that all cryptographic keys are properly rotated and managed through secure key management systems. The incident highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and proper configuration management to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into production systems. Proper implementation of key management practices and regular security audits would have prevented this vulnerability from reaching production environments, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive security controls in all system deployments.
The remediation of CVE-2024-45837 requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining the affected AIPHONE systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive key management procedures that eliminate the use of hard-coded cryptographic material in favor of dynamically generated and properly secured keys. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the security architecture that requires both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues from occurring. Security teams must conduct thorough assessments of all network-adjacent systems to identify other potential instances of hard-coded cryptographic keys or similar security misconfigurations. The affected systems should be isolated from untrusted networks until proper security controls are implemented, and all existing sessions should be terminated to prevent further exploitation. Regular security training for system administrators should emphasize the importance of proper key management and the dangers of using static cryptographic material in production environments. The implementation of automated security scanning tools can help identify similar vulnerabilities across the organization's infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential security gaps. Organizations should establish clear policies for cryptographic key management that align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and the necessity of implementing robust security controls throughout the entire system lifecycle. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar security flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The incident underscores the need for continuous security monitoring and rapid incident response capabilities to address vulnerabilities as they are discovered. Proper documentation of security measures and regular review of security policies will help ensure that the organization maintains a strong security posture against evolving threats.