CVE-2010-0009 in CouchDB
Summary
by MITRE
Apache CouchDB 0.8.0 through 0.10.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by measuring the completion time of operations that verify (1) hashes or (2) passwords.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
Apache CouchDB versions 0.8.0 through 0.10.1 contain a timing attack vulnerability that enables remote adversaries to extract sensitive information through careful analysis of operation completion times. This vulnerability stems from the database's implementation of hash and password verification processes that do not employ constant-time comparison algorithms. The flaw manifests when the system performs cryptographic operations such as hash verification or password checking, where the time taken to complete these operations varies based on the input data being processed. Attackers can exploit this timing variation to infer information about the target hash or password through statistical analysis of response times, a technique known as timing side-channel attack. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the cryptographic verification layer, where even small timing differences can reveal significant information about the underlying data. This issue directly relates to CWE-208, which addresses timing vulnerabilities in cryptographic implementations, and falls under the broader category of side-channel attacks that compromise system security through indirect means rather than direct exploitation of code flaws. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could lead to credential compromise and unauthorized access to database resources. Attackers typically employ sophisticated timing analysis tools to measure response times across multiple requests, comparing the variations to deduce the correct hash values or password components. The vulnerability affects the authentication mechanism of the database system, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain access to protected information or even escalate privileges within the system. Organizations using affected CouchDB versions face significant risk due to the passive nature of this attack, which can be conducted without generating obvious network traffic patterns that might trigger intrusion detection systems. The implementation of constant-time comparison functions in cryptographic operations would effectively mitigate this vulnerability by ensuring that verification operations take consistent time regardless of input values. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1213, which covers data from information repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to stored credentials and sensitive data through indirect means. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation practices and adherence to security standards that mandate constant-time operations for sensitive cryptographic functions to prevent timing side-channel attacks from compromising system security.