CVE-2018-6653 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-6653 was published on March 1, 2018, and affects comforte SWAP versions 1049 through 1069 and 20.0.0 through 21.5.3. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit cryptographic protection mechanisms due to weak TLS cipher suite usage by clients. The issue has been resolved in version 21.6.0.

Understanding CVE-2018-6653

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in comforte SWAP versions 1049 through 1069 and 20.0.0 through 21.5.3, impacting various comforte products and HPE NonStop SSL T0910.

What is CVE-2018-6653?

The vulnerability arises from the execution of the RELOAD CERTIFICATES command, which fails to ensure robust TLS cipher suite usage by clients, facilitating network sniffing attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2018-6653

The vulnerability makes it easier for remote attackers to compromise intended cryptographic protection mechanisms through network sniffing. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-6653

CVE-2018-6653 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

After executing the RELOAD CERTIFICATES command, comforte SWAP versions do not enforce the use of strong TLS cipher suites by clients, exposing cryptographic protections to exploitation.

Affected Systems and Versions

comforte SWAP versions 1049 through 1069 and 20.0.0 through 21.5.3
SSLOBJ on HPE NonStop SSL T0910
comforte SecurCS, SecurFTP, SecurLib/SSL-AT, and SecurTN products

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass cryptographic protections by intercepting network traffic due to the lack of robust TLS cipher suite enforcement.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-6653, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to version 21.6.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong encryption protocols and cipher suites
Regularly update software and security patches

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.