CVE-2012-2110 in OpenSSL
Summary
by MITRE
The asn1_d2i_read_bio function in crypto/asn1/a_d2i_fp.c in OpenSSL before 0.9.8v, 1.0.0 before 1.0.0i, and 1.0.1 before 1.0.1a does not properly interpret integer data, which allows remote attackers to conduct buffer overflow attacks, and cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact, via crafted DER data, as demonstrated by an X.509 certificate or an RSA public key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2110 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the OpenSSL cryptographic library that affects multiple version branches including 0.9.8v and earlier, 1.0.0i and earlier, and 1.0.1a and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the asn1_d2i_read_bio function located in the crypto/asn1/a_d2i_fp.c file, which is responsible for decoding ASN.1 formatted data using the D2I (d2i for DER) operations. The flaw specifically manifests when processing integer data within DER encoded structures, creating a condition where maliciously crafted ASN.1 data can trigger memory corruption through improper bounds checking during data interpretation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of ASN.1 integer fields within DER encoded data structures such as X.509 certificates or RSA public keys. When the asn1_d2i_read_bio function processes these crafted inputs, it fails to properly validate the length parameters of integer data, allowing attackers to specify lengths that exceed the allocated buffer space. This improper interpretation leads to memory corruption that can manifest as buffer overflows, potentially enabling remote code execution or complete denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the integrity of cryptographic operations and the overall security posture of systems relying on OpenSSL for secure communications.
The operational implications of CVE-2012-2110 are severe and far-reaching across various network security implementations. Systems utilizing affected OpenSSL versions for SSL/TLS services, certificate validation, and cryptographic operations become vulnerable to remote exploitation by attackers who can craft malicious certificates or public keys to trigger the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability particularly affects web servers, email servers, and any applications that process X.509 certificates or perform cryptographic key operations using the vulnerable OpenSSL library. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that exploitation might lead to more sophisticated attacks beyond simple denial of service, including privilege escalation or data compromise, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where cryptographic security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2110 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched OpenSSL releases including 0.9.8v, 1.0.0i, and 1.0.1a or later versions that contain the necessary fixes for the ASN.1 decoding logic. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect and block suspicious certificate or key data patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through malformed data processing. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all systems using OpenSSL to identify and remediate affected installations, while also implementing proper input validation and data sanitization measures to reduce the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in cryptographic libraries.