CVE-2020-27208 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the flash read-out protection (RDP) level during the initialization phase of SoloKeys Solo 4.0.0 & Somu and the Nitrokey FIDO2 token, potentially allowing an attacker to downgrade the RDP level and access sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2020-27208

This CVE highlights a security issue in the initialization process of specific devices, enabling unauthorized access to critical data.

What is CVE-2020-27208?

The vulnerability allows an adversary to manipulate the RDP level during device initialization, leading to potential exposure of private ECC keys stored in SRAM via the debug interface.

The Impact of CVE-2020-27208

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, compromising the security and confidentiality of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-27208

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw lies in the lack of enforcement of the RDP level during device initialization, enabling an attacker to exploit this weakness and access private ECC keys from SRAM.

Affected Systems and Versions

SoloKeys Solo 4.0.0 & Somu
Nitrokey FIDO2 token

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows an adversary to downgrade the RDP level during device initialization, facilitating access to private ECC keys via the debug interface.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected devices to the latest firmware version provided by the vendors.
Implement strict access controls to limit physical access to the devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit device access and configurations.
Educate users on secure practices and the importance of firmware updates.

Patching and Updates

Vendors should release patches that enforce RDP levels during device initialization to mitigate this vulnerability effectively.