CVE-2002-0655 in OpenSSL
Summary
by MITRE
OpenSSL 0.9.6d and earlier, and 0.9.7-beta2 and earlier, does not properly handle ASCII representations of integers on 64 bit platforms, which could allow attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0655 represents a critical flaw in OpenSSL implementations affecting versions 0.9.6d and earlier, as well as 0.9.7-beta2 and earlier releases. This issue specifically manifests on 64-bit platforms where the cryptographic library fails to properly process ASCII representations of integers, creating a potential vector for both denial of service attacks and arbitrary code execution. The flaw stems from improper handling of integer conversion processes that occur during cryptographic operations, particularly when processing data that contains integer values represented in ASCII format.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the way OpenSSL manages integer arithmetic and type conversions on 64-bit architectures. When processing certain input data containing ASCII integer representations, the library's parsing mechanisms fail to correctly handle the boundary conditions and overflow scenarios that can occur during the conversion process. This improper handling creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious input that triggers unexpected behavior in the cryptographic library's memory management and execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through various cryptographic operations including certificate processing, key generation, and data encryption/decryption functions that rely on integer parsing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems relying on OpenSSL for secure communications. Attackers can exploit the flaw by sending specially crafted data that causes the OpenSSL library to enter an undefined state, potentially leading to application crashes or system instability. The possibility of arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability especially severe as it could allow unauthorized users to gain control over affected systems. The impact extends beyond individual applications to entire network infrastructure, as many services depend on OpenSSL for TLS/SSL operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in server environments and network appliances.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-191, which describes "Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound)" and CWE-190, "Integer Overflow or Wraparound," as the core technical issues involve improper integer handling that can lead to memory corruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004, "Network Denial of Service," and potentially T1059.001, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," if exploitation leads to command execution. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected OpenSSL versions to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability affects a core security component used across numerous applications and systems. System administrators must also implement monitoring for unusual network behavior and application crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack vectors, while regular security assessments should verify that all OpenSSL-dependent applications have been properly updated to avoid continued exposure to this critical vulnerability.