CWE-1297: Unprotected Confidential Information on Device is Accessible by OSAT Vendors

What is Unprotected Confidential Information on Device is Accessible by OSAT Vendors?

• Overview: This vulnerability occurs when confidential information on a device is not adequately protected from being accessed by Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) vendors. It arises when a company outsources chip assembly and testing, exposing sensitive data during the pre-production stage.

• Exploitation Methods:

• Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by gaining access to debug and test modes that are not properly secured.
• Common attack patterns include accidental data leakage due to inadequate access controls, and insider threats where malicious actors within the OSAT vendor's organization access or steal sensitive information.

• Security Impact:

• Direct consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive design information, intellectual property theft, and potential exposure of confidential data.
• Potential cascading effects could involve broader security breaches if the OSAT vendor's systems are compromised.
• Business impact includes loss of competitive advantage, legal liabilities, and damage to reputation if confidential information is leaked or misused.

• Prevention Guidelines:

• Specific code-level fixes involve ensuring that debug and test modes are securely configured with proper access controls and authorization mechanisms.
• Security best practices include minimizing the amount of confidential information stored on devices sent to OSAT vendors and implementing stringent access controls and encryption.
• Recommended tools and frameworks involve using secure boot mechanisms, hardware security modules (HSMs), and cryptographic techniques to protect sensitive data.

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Technical Details

Likelihood of Exploit: Not specified

Affected Languages: Verilog, VHDL, Not Language-Specific

Affected Technologies: Processor Hardware, Not Technology-Specific

Vulnerable Code Example

// This Verilog module demonstrates a security vulnerability where confidential 
// data is stored without encryption or access control, making it accessible 
// by OSAT vendors or other unauthorized entities.

module ConfidentialStorage (
    input wire [7:0] data_in,
    input wire write_enable,
    output reg [7:0] data_out
);

    reg [7:0] confidential_data;

    always @(posedge write_enable) begin
        // Storing confidential data directly in a register without protection
        confidential_data <= data_in; // This line is vulnerable as it stores plain data {10}
    end

    always @(*) begin
        // Directly outputting confidential data without any access control
        data_out = confidential_data; // This line is vulnerable as it outputs plain data {12}
    end

endmodule

How to fix Unprotected Confidential Information on Device is Accessible by OSAT Vendors?

To protect confidential information from unauthorized access by OSAT vendors, it is essential to implement encryption and access control mechanisms. Here are the steps to secure the data:

1. Encryption: Encrypt the confidential data before storage and decrypt it only when necessary. Use a strong encryption algorithm to ensure data confidentiality.
2. Access Control: Implement access control to ensure that only authorized entities can read or write the confidential data. This could involve using a secure key management system and access permission checks.
3. Security Audits: Regularly audit the security implementation to ensure no vulnerabilities are introduced over time.

Implementing these measures will ensure that even if the device is accessed by unauthorized parties, the data remains protected.

Fixed Code Example

// This Verilog module secures confidential data using encryption and access control
// mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access by OSAT vendors or other entities.

module ConfidentialStorageSecure (
    input wire [7:0] data_in,
    input wire write_enable,
    input wire [127:0] encryption_key, // Encryption key for securing data
    output reg [7:0] data_out,
    input wire read_enable // Access control for read operations
);

    reg [127:0] encrypted_data;

    // Function to encrypt data using a hypothetical encryption algorithm
    function [127:0] encrypt;
        input [7:0] data;
        input [127:0] key;
        begin
            // Placeholder for encryption logic, should use a real algorithm
            encrypt = {data, key[119:0]};
        end
    endfunction

    // Function to decrypt data using a hypothetical decryption algorithm
    function [7:0] decrypt;
        input [127:0] encrypted_data;
        input [127:0] key;
        begin
            // Placeholder for decryption logic, should use a real algorithm
            decrypt = encrypted_data[127:120] ^ key[127:120];
        end
    endfunction

    always @(posedge write_enable) begin
        // Encrypting data before storage
        encrypted_data <= encrypt(data_in, encryption_key); // Securely store encrypted data {10-18}
    end

    always @(*) begin
        if (read_enable) begin
            // Decrypting data only if read access is granted
            data_out = decrypt(encrypted_data, encryption_key); // Securely output decrypted data {20-25}
        end else begin
            data_out = 8'b0; // Output zeros if read is not enabled
        end
    end

endmodule

In the fixed example, we introduced encryption to protect the data before storage. We also added a read_enable signal for access control, ensuring that data is only decrypted and output if read access is granted. These changes significantly enhance the security of confidential information against unauthorized access.