CVE-2026-4930 in Simplicity SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2026
SYMCRYPTO is the SiXG301's host side hardware engine accessed by PSA crypto library that accelerates symmetric cryptographic operations (AES encryption/decryption and hashing).
DPA Countermeasures on SYMCRYPTO can be weakened (reduced entropy) by forcing certain seed values if an attacker gains code execution capability on the impacted device.
* Therefore, the keys loaded on SYMCRYPTO may be more vulnerable to extraction through DPA attacks than intended
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2026
The SYMCRYPTO hardware engine represents a critical cryptographic component within the SiXG301 platform architecture, serving as the host-side acceleration layer for symmetric cryptographic operations including AES encryption/decryption and various hashing algorithms. This hardware module operates in conjunction with the PSA crypto library to provide optimized performance for security-sensitive operations while maintaining the integrity of cryptographic keys through dedicated countermeasures. The engine's design incorporates dynamic power analysis (DPA) protection mechanisms that are intended to prevent attackers from extracting sensitive key information through side-channel attacks by introducing entropy variations in the cryptographic processes.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient implementation of DPA countermeasures within the SYMCRYPTO engine, particularly when specific seed values can be forcibly manipulated by an attacker who has achieved code execution capability on the target device. This weakness creates a scenario where the inherent entropy provided by the DPA mitigation mechanisms becomes significantly reduced, effectively weakening the cryptographic protection that should safeguard keys loaded into the hardware engine. The compromised countermeasures make it substantially easier for adversaries to perform successful DPA attacks against the cryptographic operations, as the normally randomized power consumption patterns become predictable or controllable by the attacker.
When an attacker gains code execution privileges on the impacted device, they can manipulate the seed values used in the SYMCRYPTO engine's cryptographic operations, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the DPA countermeasures to a level that approaches the minimum required for protection. This vulnerability creates a dangerous escalation path where previously secure cryptographic operations become vulnerable to extraction attacks, potentially compromising all keys loaded into the engine and undermining the entire security posture of systems relying on this hardware acceleration. The operational impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire fleets of devices if similar vulnerabilities exist in deployed implementations.
The technical flaw aligns with CWE-310 - Cryptographic Issues, specifically addressing weaknesses in cryptographic implementations where side-channel protections are insufficiently enforced. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1583.001 - Obtain Capabilities: Code Signing Certificates, as it represents a path for attackers to obtain cryptographic capabilities through exploitation of hardware-level implementation flaws. Mitigation strategies should include enforcing strict access controls and privilege separation to prevent code execution by unauthorized entities, implementing robust entropy generation mechanisms that cannot be manipulated by software components, and potentially redesigning the DPA countermeasures to be resistant to manipulation through software-level attacks. Additionally, system architects should consider implementing runtime integrity checks for cryptographic parameters and establishing monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate attempted exploitation of these weaknesses.
Security implementations must address this vulnerability by ensuring that DPA countermeasures remain effective regardless of software execution contexts, particularly by preventing attackers from controlling the seed values used in cryptographic operations. The solution approach should focus on hardware-level protection mechanisms that are independent of software state and cannot be influenced by code execution privileges gained through system compromise, thereby maintaining the cryptographic security guarantees even when other system protections have been breached.