CWE-1264: Hardware Logic with Insecure De-Synchronization between Control and Data Channels

What is Hardware Logic with Insecure De-Synchronization between Control and Data Channels?

• Overview: This vulnerability involves hardware logic flaws where data is forwarded before security checks are completed, leading to potential data leaks. It occurs due to de-synchronization between control and data channels, often found in high-performance systems that separate these channels to increase efficiency.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this by accessing data before security checks are fully processed, often leveraging timing discrepancies.
• Common attack patterns include side-channel attacks like Meltdown, where privileged data is accessed without proper authorization.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive data, breaching data confidentiality.
• Potential cascading effects involve further data leaks and system compromise as attackers gain access to sensitive information.
• Business impact includes reputational damage, legal implications, and financial losses due to data breaches.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Ensure robust synchronization between control and data channels in hardware design to prevent premature data forwarding.
• Implement comprehensive security checks and validation processes at the hardware level.
• Utilize tools and frameworks for hardware verification and validation to identify and mitigate these vulnerabilities early in the design phase.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Not Technology-Specific

Vulnerable Code Example

class HardwareController:
    def __init__(self):
        self.control_channel_ready = False
        self.data_channel_ready = False

    def process_data(self, data):
        # Vulnerable logic: data is processed based solely on the data channel's readiness
        if self.data_channel_ready:
            print("Processing data:", data)
        else:
            print("Data channel not ready.")

    def set_control_channel_ready(self):
        self.control_channel_ready = True

    def set_data_channel_ready(self):
        self.data_channel_ready = True

Explanation:

• In this example, the process_data method processes data as soon as the data channel is marked as ready.
• The vulnerability arises because it fails to verify if the control channel is also ready, leading to potential desynchronization.
• This desynchronization can result in processing data without the necessary control validations, posing a security risk.

How to fix Hardware Logic with Insecure De-Synchronization between Control and Data Channels?

To fix this issue, ensure that both the control and data channels are verified as ready before any data processing occurs. This approach maintains synchronization and ensures that data is only processed when it is safe to do so.

Fixed Code Example

class HardwareController:
    def __init__(self):
        self.control_channel_ready = False
        self.data_channel_ready = False

    def process_data(self, data):
        # Fixed logic: Ensure both control and data channels are ready before processing
        if self.control_channel_ready and self.data_channel_ready:
            print("Processing data:", data)
        else:
            print("Control or data channel not ready.")

    def set_control_channel_ready(self):
        self.control_channel_ready = True

    def set_data_channel_ready(self):
        self.data_channel_ready = True

Explanation:

• The process_data method now includes a check to ensure both control_channel_ready and data_channel_ready are True before proceeding with data processing.
• This fix ensures that data processing only occurs when both channels are synchronized and ready, preventing premature and potentially unsafe data handling.
• By implementing this check, the system's overall security is enhanced, reducing the risk of processing data without proper control validations.