sponsors
usenix conference policies
You are here
Attacking the Linux PRNG On Android: Weaknesses in Seeding of Entropic Pools and Low Boot-Time Entropy
Error message
You are not authorized to post comments.David Kaplan, Sagi Kedmi, Roee Hay, and Avi Dayan, IBM Security Systems
Android is the most prevalent Linux-based mobile Operating System in the market today. Many features of the platform security (such as stack protection, key generation, etc.) are based on values provided by the Linux Pseudorandom Number Generator (LPRNG) and weaknesses in the LPRNG could therefore directly affect platform security. Much literature has been published previously investigating and detailing such weaknesses in the LPRNG. We build upon this prior work and show that - given a leak of a random value extracted from the LPRNG - a practical, inexpensive attack against the LPRNG internal state in early boot is feasible. Furthermore, the version of the Linux kernel vulnerable to such an attack is used in the majority of Android-based mobile devices in circulation. We also present two real-world exploitation vectors that could be enabled by such an attack. Finally, we mention current mitigations and highlight lessons that can be learned in respect to the design and use of future PRNGs for security features on embedded platforms.
Open Access Media
USENIX is committed to Open Access to the research presented at our events. Papers and proceedings are freely available to everyone once the event begins. Any video, audio, and/or slides that are posted after the event are also free and open to everyone. Support USENIX and our commitment to Open Access.
author = {David Kaplan and Sagi Kedmi and Roee Hay and Avi Dayan},
title = {Attacking the Linux {PRNG} On Android: Weaknesses in Seeding of Entropic Pools and Low {Boot-Time} Entropy},
booktitle = {8th USENIX Workshop on Offensive Technologies (WOOT 14)},
year = {2014},
address = {San Diego, CA},
url = {https://www.usenix.org/conference/woot14/workshop-program/presentation/kaplan},
publisher = {USENIX Association},
month = aug
}
connect with us