CVE-2020-14517
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-14517 is a critical vulnerability in CodeMeter's protocol encryption that can be easily broken, allowing attackers to remotely communicate with the CodeMeter API. This affects all versions prior to 6.90, and version 6.90 or newer only if CodeMeter Runtime is running as a server accepting external connections. Organizations using CodeMeter for license management and software protection are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- WIBU-SYSTEMS CodeMeter
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of CodeMeter-protected systems, allowing attackers to bypass license controls, execute arbitrary code, steal intellectual property, and potentially pivot to other network systems.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to CodeMeter API leading to license manipulation, software piracy, and potential data exfiltration from protected applications.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and access controls prevent external connections to CodeMeter servers.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability involves breaking protocol encryption, which has been publicly documented. Attack complexity is low due to weak encryption implementation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: CodeMeter Runtime version 7.00 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-20-203-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download CodeMeter Runtime version 7.00 or later from WIBU-SYSTEMS website. 2. Stop CodeMeter service. 3. Install the update. 4. Restart CodeMeter service. 5. Verify the update was successful.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allRestrict network access to CodeMeter servers to only trusted internal networks
Disable External Connections
linuxConfigure CodeMeter to not accept external network connections
cmu --set-server-connections=local
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to isolate CodeMeter servers from untrusted networks
- Monitor network traffic to/from CodeMeter servers for suspicious activity and unauthorized connections
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CodeMeter version using 'cmu --version' or 'CodeMeterControl.exe' on Windows. If version is below 7.00, check if running as server with external connections.Check Version:
cmu --version (Linux) or check via CodeMeter Control Panel (Windows)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify CodeMeter version is 7.00 or higher using version check command and confirm no external connections are allowed unless properly secured.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual connection attempts to CodeMeter ports (22350, 22351)
- Failed authentication attempts to CodeMeter API
- Unexpected license modification events
Network Indicators:
- Traffic to/from CodeMeter ports from unauthorized IP addresses
- Unencrypted or suspicious protocol patterns on CodeMeter ports
SIEM Query:
source_port:22350 OR source_port:22351 OR dest_port:22350 OR dest_port:22351 | stats count by src_ip, dest_ip