Finding and Fixing Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure, a Medium Risk Vulnerability

With Notes on Remediation, Penetration Testing, Disclosures, Patching and Exploits

What is Server-Man-in-the-Middle Weakness?

Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure is a medium risk vulnerability that is one of the most frequently found on networks around the world. This issue has been around since at least 1990 but has proven either difficult to detect, difficult to resolve or prone to being overlooked entirely.

Vulnerability Name:Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure
Test ID:8919
Risk:Medium
Category:Simple Network services
Type:Attack
Summary:The remote version of Remote Desktop Protocol Server (Terminal Service) is vulnerable to a man in the middle attack.
Impact:An attacker may exploit this flaw to decrypt communications between client and server and obtain sensitive information (passwords, ...).
Solution:
  • No solution or patch is currently available as of July 1, 2012.
  • This vulnerability should be mitigated by using some
    semblance of network filtering (e.g., firewalling RDP off from the open Internet).
  • Connect only to terminal services over trusted networks
  • Information regarding this issue will be updated once the solution details are available.
  • For updates refer to http://support.microsoft.com/
CVECVE-2005-1794
Nist NVD (CVSS):AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N
CVSS Score:6.4

Scanning For and Finding Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure

Use of Vulnerability Management tools are standard practice for the discovery of this vulnerability. The primary failure of VA in finding this vulnerability is related to setting the proper scope and frequency of network scans. It is vital that the broadest range of hosts (active IPs) possible are scanned and that scanning is done frequently. We recommend weekly. Your existing scanning solution or set of test tools should make this not just possible, but easy and affordable. 

Penetration Testing (pentest) for this Vulnerability

The Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure is prone to false positive reports by most vulnerability assessment solutions. Fortra VM uses behavior based testing that eliminates this issue. For all other VA tools security consultants will recommend confirmation by direct observation. In any case Penetration testing procedures for discovery of Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure produces the highest discovery accuracy rate, but the infrequency of this expensive form of testing degrades its value. The ideal would be to have pentesting accuracy and the frequency and scope possibilities of VA solutions.

Security Updates on Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure

Given that this is one of the most frequently found vulnerabilities, there is ample information regarding mitigation online and very good reason to get it fixed. Hackers are also aware that this is a frequently found vulnerability and so its discovery and repair is that much more important. It is so well known and common that any network that has it present and unmitigated indicates "low hanging fruit" to attackers.

Disclosures related to this vulnerability

http://www.dotnetnoob.com/2010/09/windows-server-2003-hardening-ssltls.html

Patching/Repairing this Vulnerability

This vulnerability should be mitigated by using some semblance of network filtering (e.g., firewalling RDP off from the open Internet). Connect only to terminal services over trusted networks.

Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Protocol Server Private Key Disclosure is a medium risk vulnerability that is also high frequency and high visibility. This is the most severe combination of security factors that exists and it is extremely important to find it on your network and fix it as soon as possible.

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