OpenSSL up to 1.0.1g SSL Mode Release Buffers memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in OpenSSL. This affects an unknown part of the component SSL Mode Release Buffers Handler. Performing a manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2014-0198. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in OpenSSL (Network Encryption Software). This affects an unknown functionality of the component SSL Mode Release Buffers Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

The do_ssl3_write function in s3_pkt.c in OpenSSL 1.x through 1.0.1g, when SSL_MODE_RELEASE_BUFFERS is enabled, does not properly manage a buffer pointer during certain recursive calls, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via vectors that trigger an alert condition.

The issue has been introduced in 03/29/2010. The weakness was published 06/05/2014 by Marc Deslauriers as secadv_20140605.txt as confirmed advisory (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at openssl.org. The vendor was not involved in the public release. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2014-0198 since 12/03/2013. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1499 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 74045 (Debian DSA-2931-1 : openssl - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 350258 (Amazon Linux Security Advisory for openssl: AL2012-2014-003).

Upgrading to version 1.0.0m or 1.0.1h eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The advisory contains the following remark:

The fix was developed by Matt Caswell of the OpenSSL development team.
Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 16249.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (74045), SecurityFocus (BID 67193†), Secunia (SA58403†), SecurityTracker (ID 1030338†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-50669†). Further details are available at isc.sans.edu. Similar entries are available at VDB-11600, VDB-11705, VDB-11778 and VDB-13014. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • McAfee Web Gateway up to 7.3.2.10/7.4.2.1
  • Cisco ASA

Productinfo

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Name

Version

License

Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

Video

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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.1

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
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NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 74045
Nessus Name: Debian DSA-2931-1 : openssl - security update
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 702931
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 2931-1 (openssl - security update
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Upgrade: OpenSSL 1.0.0m/1.0.1h
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

03/29/2010 🔍
12/03/2013 +1345 days 🔍
05/02/2014 +150 days 🔍
05/02/2014 +0 days 🔍
05/06/2014 +4 days 🔍
05/19/2014 +13 days 🔍
06/05/2014 +17 days 🔍
06/05/2014 +0 days 🔍
06/05/2014 +0 days 🔍
06/05/2014 +0 days 🔍
06/05/2014 +0 days 🔍
06/23/2015 +383 days 🔍
05/12/2026 +3976 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: openssl.org

Advisory: secadv_20140605.txt
Researcher: Marc Deslauriers
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2014-0198 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2014-0198
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13455

OVAL: 🔍
IAVM: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 67193 - OpenSSL 'so_ssl3_write()' Function NULL Pointer Dereference Denial of Service Vulnerability
Secunia: 58403 - OpenSSL Multiple Vulnerabilities, Moderately Critical
SecurityTracker: 1030338 - OpenSSL ssl3_read_bytes() and Anonymous ECDH Ciphersuite Bugs Let Remote Users Deny Service
Vulnerability Center: 50669 - OpenSSL 1.0.1g and Earlier Remote DoS in do_ssl3_write Function - CVE-2014-0198, Medium

Misc.: 🔍
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/05/2014 15:48
Updated: 05/12/2026 17:48
Changes: 06/05/2014 15:48 (96), 07/01/2017 08:05 (8), 06/20/2021 16:32 (3), 05/12/2026 17:48 (15)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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