OpenBSD OpenSSH up to 3.6.1p2 Authentication race condition

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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3.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in OpenBSD OpenSSH and classified as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Authentication. Performing a manipulation results in race condition. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-1562. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in OpenBSD OpenSSH (Connectivity Software). This affects an unknown part of the component Authentication. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a race condition vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-362. The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, and the code sequence requires temporary, exclusive access to a shared resource, but a timing window exists in which the shared resource can be modified by another code sequence that is operating concurrently. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

sshd in OpenSSH 3.6.1p2 and earlier, when PermitRootLogin is disabled and using PAM keyboard-interactive authentication, does not insert a delay after a root login attempt with the correct password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to use timing differences to determine if the password step of a multi-step authentication is successful, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0190.

The weakness was published 12/31/2003 (Website). The advisory is shared at securityfocus.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2003-1562. The exploitability is told to be difficult. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 11574 (OpenSSH w/ PAM Multiple Timing Attack Weaknesses), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Misc.. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 38191 (OpenSSH Remote Root Authentication Timing Side-Channel Weakness).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (44279), Tenable (11574), SecurityFocus (BID 7482†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-25095†). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 3.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 3.7

VulDB Base Score: 3.7
VulDB Temp Score: 3.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Race condition
CWE: CWE-362
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: 11574
Nessus Name: OpenSSH w/ PAM Multiple Timing Attack Weaknesses
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

05/01/2003 🔍
12/31/2003 +244 days 🔍
12/31/2003 +0 days 🔍
12/31/2003 +0 days 🔍
08/03/2008 +1676 days 🔍
03/17/2010 +591 days 🔍
09/30/2014 +1658 days 🔍
07/13/2025 +3939 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: openbsd.org

Advisory: securityfocus.com⛔
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2003-1562 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-1562
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-21465
X-Force: 44279
SecurityFocus: 7482 - OpenSSH Remote Root Authentication Timing Side-Channel Weakness
Vulnerability Center: 25095 - OpenSSH Remote Weak Authentication Vulnerability via Timing Differences, High

Entryinfo

Created: 09/30/2014 15:28
Updated: 07/13/2025 19:43
Changes: 09/30/2014 15:28 (52), 02/22/2017 10:39 (9), 06/29/2021 13:20 (4), 06/29/2021 13:25 (1), 07/13/2025 19:43 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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