Almost Secure (2011)

The blog post discusses several classic vulnerabilities that can affect various devices, particularly those that handle mass storage and cryptographic functions. It highlights the ext2 symlink directory traversal vulnerability, which allows unauthorized access to a device's filesystem through improperly managed mass storage. The post also addresses issues with cryptographic modes, particularly the use of AES in CBC mode, which lacks integrity checks and can lead to data recovery by attackers. Additionally, it emphasizes the dangers of inadequate sanitization of configuration strings, which can lead to arbitrary code execution. The existence of /dev/mem in Linux systems is noted as a potential risk, allowing attackers to access sensitive memory areas. Other vulnerabilities include write-only registers that can be exploited for key recovery and the reliance on success in boot sequences, which can inadvertently expose systems to remote access. The author stresses the importance of understanding these vulnerabilities to enhance device security.

- Classic vulnerabilities can affect many devices, especially those with mass storage.

- Inadequate cryptographic practices can lead to data breaches.

- Poor sanitization of user input can result in security exploits.

- The presence of /dev/mem can facilitate unauthorized access to system memory.

- Boot sequence failures can inadvertently expose systems to remote access.