CVE-2022-29829: Uncovering the Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key Vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric's Systems

Mitsubishi Electric, a leading global manufacturer of electrical equipment, has been identified as having a critical vulnerability in some of their software systems. This vulnerability, known as CVE-2022-29829, pertains to their use of a hard-coded cryptographic key, which can lead to unauthorized access and disclosure of sensitive information. In this post, we will explore the details of this vulnerability, its potential impact, and possible solutions.

Overview

CVE-2022-29829 refers to a Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerability in the following Mitsubishi Electric software versions:

This vulnerability allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to disclose sensitive information by exploiting the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key. As a result, unauthenticated users may view programs, project files, or even execute programs illegally, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected systems.

Details and Exploit

The vulnerability is caused by the use of a hard-coded cryptographic key within the aforementioned software packages. This means that the same key is used for encryption across multiple installations, making it much easier for an attacker to uncover and exploit it. By decrypting the encrypted data using the hard-coded key, an attacker can gain access to sensitive information like project files, source code, or even perform unauthorized actions.

The following code snippet demonstrates how an attacker might decrypt the encrypted data using the hard-coded key:

from Crypto.Cipher import AES

def decrypt_data(data, key):
    cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_ECB)
    decrypted_data = cipher.decrypt(data)
    return decrypted_data

By supplying the appropriate encrypted data and hard-coded key as input to the decrypt_data function, the attacker can obtain the decrypted, sensitive information.

Original References

The vulnerability was initially reported by researchers at [Company Name]. You can view their original research and disclosure of CVE-2022-29829 at the following links:

Mitigation

To address this vulnerability, Mitsubishi Electric has released updated versions of the affected software packages:

By updating to the latest versions, users can eliminate the use of the hard-coded cryptographic key, thus preventing unauthorized access and disclosure of sensitive information.

Additionally, users should ensure that they follow best practices for securing their systems, such as:

Conclusion

The Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key vulnerability (CVE-2022-29829) poses a significant threat to organizations using the affected Mitsubishi Electric software packages. By understanding the vulnerability and applying necessary updates and security measures, organizations can protect their sensitive data and maintain the security of their systems.

If you believe you are affected by this vulnerability, it is recommended that you review the original references provided, update the affected software, and follow best practices to secure your systems.

Timeline

Published on: 11/25/2022 00:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 05/31/2023 09:15:00 UTC