Policy Privileges are not Assigned Consistently Between Control and Data Agents
Draft Base
Structure: Simple
Description
This vulnerability occurs when hardware access control policies are inconsistent, allowing an agent with control privileges to modify write permissions even when it shouldn't have direct write access.
Modern hardware systems, like integrated circuits and security engines, often protect critical resources (encryption keys, device configurations) with layered policies. A control policy governs who can access a resource and change permissions, while a write policy specifically controls modification rights. The security flaw emerges when these two policies don't align—an agent listed in the control policy but omitted from the write policy might still manipulate the write permissions register. This inconsistency creates a dangerous privilege escalation path. An untrusted or compromised agent can insert itself into the write policy, gaining unauthorized write access. The consequences are severe: sensitive data or encryption keys can be leaked, and fundamental device configuration can be maliciously altered, completely undermining system security.
Common Consequences 1
Scope: ConfidentialityIntegrityAvailabilityAccess Control
Impact: Modify MemoryRead MemoryDoS: Crash, Exit, or RestartExecute Unauthorized Code or CommandsGain Privileges or Assume IdentityBypass Protection MechanismRead Files or DirectoriesReduce Reliability
Potential Mitigations 1
Phase: Architecture and DesignImplementation
Access-control-policy definition and programming flow must be sufficiently tested in pre-silicon and post-silicon testing.
Demonstrative Examples 1
Consider a system of seven registers for storing and configuring an AES key for encryption or decryption.
Four 32-bit registers are used to store a 128-bit AES key. The names of those registers are AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_0, AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_1, AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_2, and AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_3. Collectively these are referred to as the AES Key registers.
| Register | Field description |
| --- | --- |
| AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_0 | AES key [0:31] for encryption or decryption Default 0x00000000 |
| AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_1 | AES key [32:63] for encryption or decryption Default 0x00000000 |
| AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_2 | AES key [64:95] for encryption or decryption Default 0x00000000 |
| AES_ENC_DEC_KEY_3 | AES key [96:127] for encryption or decryption Default 0x00000000 |
Three 32-bit registers are used to define access control for the AES-key registers. The names of those registers are AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY, AES_KEY_READ_POLICY, and AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY. Collectively these registers are referred to as the Policy registers, and their functions are explained next.
- The AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY register defines which agents can write to the AES_KEY_READ_POLICY or AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY registers.
- The AES_KEY_READ_POLICY register defines which agents can read the AES-key registers.
- The AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY register defines which agents can write the AES key registers.
The preceding three policy registers encode access control at the bit level. Therefore a maximum of 32 agents can be defined (1 bit per agent). The value of the bit when set (i.e., "1") allows the respective action from an agent whose identity corresponds to the number of the bit. If clear (i.e., "0"), it disallows the respective action to that corresponding agent. For example, if bit 0 is set to "1" in the AES_KEY_READ_POLICY register, then agent 0 has permission to read the AES-key registers.
Consider that there are 4 agents named Agent 1, Agent 2, Agent 3, and Agent 4. For access control purposes Agent 1 is assigned to bit 1, Agent 2 to bit 2, Agent 3 to bit 3, and Agent 4 to bit 4. All agents are trusted except for Agent 3 who is untrusted. Also consider the register values in the below table.
Code Example:
Bad
| Register | Field description |
|---|---|
| AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY | Controls which agents can write to READ_POLICY and WRITE_POLICY registers [31:0] Default 0x00000018 |
| AES_KEY_READ_POLICY | Controls which agents can read the AES-key registers [31:0] Default 0x00000002 |
| AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY | Controls which agents can write to the AES-key registers [31:0] Default 0x00000004 |
IThe AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY register value is 0x00000018. In binary, the lower 8 bits will be 0001 1000, meaning that:
- Bits 3 and 4 are set, thus Agents 3 and 4 will have write access to AES_KEY_READ_POLICY or AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY.
- All other bits are clear, hence agents other than 3 and 4 will not have access to write to AES_KEY_READ_POLICY or AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY.
The AES_KEY_READ_POLICY register value is 0x00000002. In binary, the lower 8 bits will be 0000 0010, meaning that:
- Bit 1 is set, thus Agent 1 will be able to read the AES key registers.
The AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY register value is 0x00000004. In binary, the lower 8 bits will be 0000 0100, meaning that:
- Bit 2 is set, thus Agent 2 will be able to write the AES Key registers.
The configured access control policy for Agents 1,2,3,4 is summarized in table below.
| Agent | Read | Write | Control |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agent 1 | Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Agent 2 | Not Allowed | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Agent 3 | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed |
| Agent 4 | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed |
At this point Agents 3 and 4 can only configure which agents can read AES keys and which agents can write AES keys. Agents 3 and 4 cannot read or write AES keys - just configure access control.
Now, recall Agent 3 is untrusted. As explained above, the value of the AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY register gives agent 3 access to write to the AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY register. Agent 3 can use this write access to add themselves to the AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY register. This is accomplished by Agent 3 writing the value 0x00000006. In binary, the lower 8 bits are 0000 0110, meaning that bit 3 will be set. Thus, giving Agent 3 having the ability to write to the AES Key registers.
If the AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY register value is 0x00000010, the lower 8 bits will be 0001 0000. This will give Agent 4, a trusted agent, write access to AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY, but Agent 3, who is untrusted, will not have write access. The Policy register values should therefore be as follows:
Code Example:
Good
| Register | Field description |
|---|---|
| AES_KEY_CONTROL_POLICY | [31:0] Default 0x00000010 |
| AES_KEY_READ_POLICY | [31:0] Default 0x00000002 |
| AES_KEY_WRITE_POLICY | [31:0] Default 0x00000004 |
Applicable Platforms
Languages:
Not Language-Specific : Undetermined
Technologies:
Not Technology-Specific : Undetermined
Modes of Introduction
Architecture and Design
Implementation
Related Attack Patterns
Related Weaknesses
ChildOf:
Improper Access Control (CWE-284)
Notes
MaintenanceThis entry is still under development and will continue to see updates and content improvements.