CVE-2017-5242 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record pertains to the Rapid7 Nexpose Virtual Appliance Duplicate SSH Host Key vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2017-5242

This vulnerability involves the generation of duplicate SSH host keys in Nexpose and InsightVM virtual appliances during a specific timeframe.

What is CVE-2017-5242?

Between April 5th, 2017, and May 3rd, 2017, virtual appliances of Nexpose and InsightVM were downloaded with identical SSH host keys, contrary to the expected unique keys.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5242

Potential unauthorized access to affected virtual appliances due to shared SSH host keys
Compromise of confidentiality and integrity of data stored on the appliances

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5242

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the virtual appliances generating the same SSH host keys instead of unique ones during initial boot-up.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Rapid7
Affected Product: Nexpose Virtual Appliance
Versions: 2017.04.05 to 2017.05.03
Vendor: Rapid7
Affected Product: InsightVM Virtual Appliance
Versions: 2017.04.05 to 2017.05.03

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the shared SSH host keys to gain unauthorized access to the affected virtual appliances.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-5242 is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Regenerate SSH host keys for affected virtual appliances
Monitor for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security audits and vulnerability scans
Enforce the use of unique cryptographic keys for all virtual appliances

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by Rapid7 to address the SSH host key duplication vulnerability