CVE-2014-3470 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The ssl3_send_client_key_exchange function in s3_clnt.c in OpenSSL before 0.9.8za, 1.0.0 before 1.0.0m, and 1.0.1 before 1.0.1h, when an anonymous ECDH cipher suite is used, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and client crash) by triggering a NULL certificate value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3470 represents a critical denial of service weakness within OpenSSL's secure socket layer implementation that affects multiple versions of the cryptographic library. This flaw specifically manifests in the ssl3_send_client_key_exchange function located in the s3_clnt.c file, which handles the client-side key exchange process during SSL/TLS handshakes. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when anonymous ECDH cipher suites are utilized, creating a scenario where remote attackers can manipulate the handshake process to trigger a NULL pointer dereference that ultimately results in client application crashes. The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the certificate processing logic, where the system fails to properly validate certificate values before attempting to reference them.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it enables attackers to systematically crash client applications that utilize affected OpenSSL versions. When an anonymous ECDH cipher suite is negotiated, the client attempts to process a certificate value that may be NULL, leading to a segmentation fault or similar memory access violation that terminates the application process. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the security triad, as legitimate users may be unable to establish secure connections to affected services. The vulnerability affects a broad range of applications and systems that rely on OpenSSL for SSL/TLS functionality, including web servers, email clients, and any software that implements secure communication protocols.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which identifies NULL pointer dereference as a common programming error that can lead to application crashes and potential privilege escalation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a denial of service attack vector under the technique of "Resource Exhaustion" where attackers consume system resources to prevent legitimate usage. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where SSL/TLS connections are frequently established. Organizations utilizing affected OpenSSL versions face significant operational risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged in automated attack campaigns to systematically disrupt services and potentially mask more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3470 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected OpenSSL installations to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating all systems running vulnerable OpenSSL versions, particularly those handling SSL/TLS connections. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as firewalls that can detect and block suspicious SSL/TLS handshake patterns may provide temporary defense. Organizations should also consider disabling anonymous ECDH cipher suites in their SSL/TLS configurations when possible, as this removes the attack surface that enables exploitation of this particular vulnerability. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable OpenSSL versions within the organization's infrastructure.