CWE-370: Missing Check for Certificate Revocation after Initial Check
The product does not check the revocation status of a certificate after its initial revocation check, which can cause the product to perform privileged actions even after the certificate is revoked at a later time.
How it's found
Missing Check for Certificate Revocation after Initial Check is a specific, narrowly defined instance of a broader pattern. Testers confirm it with targeted code review and a proof-of-concept input that exercises the exact code path this weakness describes.
If the revocation status of a certificate is not checked before each action that requires privileges, the system may be subject to a race condition. If a certificate is revoked after the initial check, all subsequent actions taken with the owner of the revoked certificate will lose all benefits guaranteed by the certificate. In fact, it is almost certain that the use of a revoked certificate indicates malicious activity.
Consequences
- Gain Privileges or Assume Identity: Trust may be assigned to an entity who is not who it claims to be.
- Modify Application Data: Data from an untrusted (and possibly malicious) source may be integrated.
- Read Application Data: Data may be disclosed to an entity impersonating a trusted entity, resulting in information disclosure.
Mitigations
- Architecture and Design: Ensure that certificates are checked for revoked status before each use of a protected resource. If the certificate is checked before each access of a protected resource, the delay subject to a possible race condition becomes almost negligible and significantly reduces the risk associated with this issue.
Where this fits in a TurboPentest engagement
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Frequently asked questions
What is CWE-370?
The product does not check the revocation status of a certificate after its initial revocation check, which can cause the product to perform privileged actions even after the certificate is revoked at a later time.
How do you find Missing Check for Certificate Revocation after Initial Check?
Missing Check for Certificate Revocation after Initial Check is a specific, narrowly defined instance of a broader pattern. Testers confirm it with targeted code review and a proof-of-concept input that exercises the exact code path this weakness describes.
What is the impact of CWE-370?
Gain Privileges or Assume Identity: Trust may be assigned to an entity who is not who it claims to be. Modify Application Data: Data from an untrusted (and possibly malicious) source may be integrated. Read Application Data: Data may be disclosed to an entity impersonating a trusted entity, resulting in information disclosure.
Does TurboPentest test for Missing Check for Certificate Revocation after Initial Check?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
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Written and reviewed by
Michel Chamberland - Founder & CEO, IntegSec
CISSP, OSCP, OSCE, CEH, GIAC, CCSK · 20+ years in offensive security
Michel has spent 20+ years on offensive security teams including IBM X-Force Red and Trustwave SpiderLabs, leading penetration tests, red team engagements, and breach response for Fortune 500 customers. He is the founder of IntegSec and the architect of TurboPentest.
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