CVE-2017-3226 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-3226 affecting Das U-Boot bootloader. Understand the vulnerability, impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
Das U-Boot's AES-CBC encryption feature improperly handles an error condition, potentially allowing attacks against the cryptographic implementation.
Understanding CVE-2017-3226
Das U-Boot, a device bootloader, is vulnerable to manipulation of encrypted environment data, leading to process termination.
What is CVE-2017-3226?
- Das U-Boot bootloader can retrieve its configuration from an AES-encrypted file.
- Attackers with physical access can exploit a flaw in the AES-CBC encryption feature, causing process termination.
The Impact of CVE-2017-3226
- Attackers can manipulate encrypted environment data to trigger an error in parsing, leading to process termination.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-3226
Das U-Boot's vulnerability lies in its handling of encrypted environment data.
Vulnerability Description
- Das U-Boot's AES-CBC encryption feature does not handle error conditions correctly, allowing attackers to decrypt data.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: U-Boot
- Vendor: Das
- Versions affected: < 2017.09
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can manipulate encrypted environment data to include a crafted two-byte sequence, causing parsing errors.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate action and long-term security practices can help mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2017-3226.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable CONFIG_ENV_AES if not essential.
- Implement physical security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update U-Boot to patched versions.
- Monitor and restrict physical access to devices.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by Das for U-Boot to address the vulnerability.