CVE-2026-32884: Botan: Case-Insensitive CN Values Bypass DNS excludedSubtrees Name Constraints (RFC 5280 Violation)

Published Mar 30, 2026
·
Updated

Botan is a C++ cryptography library. Prior to version 3.11.0, during processing of an X.509 certificate path using name constraints which restrict the set of allowable DNS names, if no subject alternative name is defined in the end-entity certificate Botan would check that the CN was allowed by the DNS name constraints, even though this check is technically not required by RFC 5280. However this check failed to account for the possibility of a mixed-case CN. Thus a certificate with CN=Sub.EVIL.COM and no subject alternative name would bypasses an excludedSubtrees constraint for evil.com because the comparison is case-sensitive. This issue has been patched in version 3.11.0.

Affected Software

2 affected components
Botan Botan<3.11.0
Botan Project Botan<3.11.0

Event History

Mar 30, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:36 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:36 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:17 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-32884?

CVE-2026-32884 has been classified with a severity that indicates it poses a significant security risk due to its potential exploitation.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-32884?

To fix CVE-2026-32884, upgrade Botan to version 3.11.0 or later as it contains the necessary patches.

3

What software is affected by CVE-2026-32884?

CVE-2026-32884 affects Botan versions prior to 3.11.0.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-32884?

CVE-2026-32884 is a case-insensitive CN values bypass vulnerability violating RFC 5280 guidelines.

5

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2026-32884?

The potential impacts of CVE-2026-32884 include unauthorized access and bypass of DNS name constraints in cryptographic operations.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203