CVE-2014-3466: Buffer Overflow

Published May 28, 2014
·
Updated

A flaw was found in the way GnuTLS parsed session ids from Server Hello packets of the TLS/SSL handshake. A malicious server could use this flaw to send an excessively long session id value and trigger a buffer overflow in a connecting TLS/SSL client using GnuTLS, causing it to crash or, possibly, execute arbitrary code.

The flaw is in readserverhello() / gnutlsreadserverhello(), where sessionidlen is checked to not exceed incoming packet size, but not checked to ensure it does not exceed maximum session id length: https://www.gitorious.org/gnutls/gnutls/source/8d7d6c6:lib/gnutlshandshake.c#L1747

Other sources

Buffer overflow in the readserverhello function in lib/gnutlshandshake.c in GnuTLS before 3.1.25, 3.2.x before 3.2.15, and 3.3.x before 3.3.4 allows remote servers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long session id in a ServerHello message.

MITRE

Affected Software

50 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/gnutls<3.1.25
3.1.25
redhat/gnutls<3.2.15
3.2.15
redhat/gnutls<3.3.3
3.3.3
GNU GnuTLS=3.3.0
GNU GnuTLS=3.3.0-pre0
GNU GnuTLS=3.3.1
GNU GnuTLS=3.3.2
GNU GnuTLS=3.3.3
GNU GnuTLS<=3.1.24
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.0
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.1
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.2
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.3
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.4
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.5
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.6
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.7
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.8
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.9
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.10
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.11
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.12
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.13
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.14
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.15
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.16
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.17
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.18
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.19
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.20
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.21
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.22
GNU GnuTLS=3.1.23
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.0
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.1
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.2
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.3
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.4
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.5
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.6
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.7
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.8
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.8.1
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.9
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.10
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.11
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.12
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.12.1
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.13
GNU GnuTLS=3.2.14

Event History

Jun 3, 2014
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:00 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:55 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2014-3466?

The severity of CVE-2014-3466 is considered high due to the potential for a buffer overflow that could lead to a crash.

2

How do I fix CVE-2014-3466?

To fix CVE-2014-3466, upgrade GnuTLS to version 3.1.25 or later, 3.2.15 or later, or 3.3.3 or later.

3

Which versions of GnuTLS are affected by CVE-2014-3466?

CVE-2014-3466 affects GnuTLS versions prior to 3.1.25, 3.2.15, and 3.3.3.

4

What types of applications are impacted by CVE-2014-3466?

Applications using vulnerable versions of GnuTLS may be impacted by this vulnerability, especially those utilizing TLS/SSL connections.

5

Is CVE-2014-3466 a remote exploit?

Yes, CVE-2014-3466 can be exploited remotely by a malicious server during a TLS/SSL handshake.

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