An adversary takes advantage of incorrectly configured SSL/TLS communications that enables access to data intended to be encrypted. The adversary may also use this type of attack to inject commands or other traffic into the encrypted stream to cause compromise of either the client or server.

How does a Exploiting Incorrectly Configured SSL/TLS attack work?

It typically unfolds over 3 phases. It begins with: [Determine SSL/TLS Configuration] Determine the SSL/TLS configuration of either the server or client being targeted, preferably both. This is not a hard requirement, as the adversary can simply assume commonly exploitable configuration settings and indiscriminately attempt them.

How do you prevent CAPEC-217?

Do not use SSL, as all SSL versions have been broken and should not be used. If TLS is not an option for the client or server, consider setting timeouts on SSL sessions to extremely low values to lessen the potential impact.

What weaknesses does CAPEC-217 target?

CAPEC-217 exploits 1 CWE weakness, including CWE-201 (Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data).

How severe is CAPEC-217?

MITRE rates CAPEC-217 as unrated severity with low likelihood of attack.

CAPEC-217: Exploiting Incorrectly Configured SSL/TLS

How the attack works

The phases an attacker typically follows to carry out this attack.

Step 1
Explore
[Determine SSL/TLS Configuration] Determine the SSL/TLS configuration of either the server or client being targeted, preferably both. This is not a hard requirement, as the adversary can simply assume commonly exploitable configuration settings and indiscriminately attempt them.
- If the target is a webpage, some of the SSL/TLS configuration can be viewed through the browser's security information, such as the key sizes and cipher being used.
Step 2
Experiment
[Intercept Communication] Provide controlled access to the server by the client, by either providing a link for the client to click on, or by positioning one's self at a place on the network to intercept and control the flow of data between client and server, e.g. AiTM (adversary in the middle - CAPEC-94).
- Create a malicious webpage that looks identical to the target webpage, but routes client traffic to the server such that the adversary can observe the traffic and perform an adverary in the middle attack.
- If the adversary has access to the network that either the client or server is on, the can attempt to use a packet sniffer to perform an adversary in the middle attack.
- Install a packet sniffer through malware directly to a client device that can intercept SSL/TLS traffic and perform an adversary in the middle attack.
Step 3
Exploit
[Capture or Manipulate Sensitive Data] Once the adversary has the ability to intercept the secure communication, they exploit the incorrectly configured SSL to view the encrypted communication. The adversary can choose to just record the secure communication or manipulate the data to achieve a desired effect.
- Use known exploits for old SSL and TLS versions.
- Use known exploits for weak ciphers such as DES and RC4.

How the attack works

CAPEC-217: Exploiting Incorrectly Configured SSL/TLS

Overview

How the attack works

What the attacker needs

Prerequisites

Skills required

Resources required

Consequences

How to mitigate it

Examples

Frequently asked questions

What is CAPEC-217?

How does a Exploiting Incorrectly Configured SSL/TLS attack work?

How do you prevent CAPEC-217?

What weaknesses does CAPEC-217 target?

How severe is CAPEC-217?

References

Defend against CAPEC-217

How the attack works

Overview

How the attack works

What the attacker needs

Prerequisites

Skills required

Resources required

Consequences

How to mitigate it

Examples

Related weaknesses

Related attack patterns

Parent

Frequently asked questions

What is CAPEC-217?

How does a Exploiting Incorrectly Configured SSL/TLS attack work?

How do you prevent CAPEC-217?

What weaknesses does CAPEC-217 target?

How severe is CAPEC-217?

References

Defend against CAPEC-217