CVE-2021-43398: Medium severity crypto++ vulnerability

Published Nov 4, 2021
·
Updated

DISPUTED Crypto++ (aka Cryptopp) 8.6.0 and earlier contains a timing leakage in MakePublicKey(). There is a clear correlation between execution time and private key length, which may cause disclosure of the length information of the private key. This might allow attackers to conduct timing attacks. NOTE: this report is disputed by the vendor and multiple third parties. The execution-time differences are intentional. A user may make a choice of a longer key as a tradeoff between strength and performance. In making this choice, the amount of information leaked to an adversary is of infinitesimal value.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Cryptopp Crypto\+\+<=8.6.0

Event History

Nov 4, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:06 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:06 PM
Description
Disputed
09:15 PM
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the vulnerability ID of this issue?

The vulnerability ID of this issue is CVE-2021-43398.

2

What is the severity rating of CVE-2021-43398?

The severity rating of CVE-2021-43398 is medium with a value of 5.3.

3

What software versions are affected by CVE-2021-43398?

Crypto++ (aka Cryptopp) versions up to and including 8.6.0 are affected by CVE-2021-43398.

4

What is the CWE ID associated with CVE-2021-43398?

The CWE ID associated with CVE-2021-43398 is CWE-203.

5

How can the timing leakage vulnerability in Crypto++ be exploited?

The timing leakage vulnerability in Crypto++ can be exploited to disclose the length information of the private key by observing the correlation between execution time and private key length.

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