Crypto++ up to 8.9.0 DER ModularSquareRoot infinite loop

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Crypto++ up to 8.9.0. It has been classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ModularSquareRoot of the component DER Handler. This manipulation causes infinite loop. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-50981. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Crypto++ up to 8.9.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ModularSquareRoot of the component DER Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a infinite loop vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-835. The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

ModularSquareRoot in Crypto++ (aka cryptopp) through 8.9.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via crafted DER public-key data associated with squared odd numbers, such as the square of 268995137513890432434389773128616504853.

The weakness was released 12/18/2023 as 1249. The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-50981 since 12/18/2023. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 242833 (NewStart CGSL MAIN 7.02 : cryptopp Multiple Vulnerabilities (NS-SA-2025-0115)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

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 Tenable (242833) and EUVD (EUVD-2023-55708). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 3.5
VulDB Temp Score: 3.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Infinite loop
CWE: CWE-835 / CWE-404
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: 242833
Nessus Name: NewStart CGSL MAIN 7.02 : cryptopp Multiple Vulnerabilities (NS-SA-2025-0115)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

12/18/2023 🔍
12/18/2023 +0 days 🔍
12/18/2023 +0 days 🔍
03/06/2026 +809 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 1249
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-50981 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-50981
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-248281
EUVD: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 12/18/2023 07:38
Updated: 03/06/2026 13:04
Changes: 12/18/2023 07:38 (39), 01/12/2024 08:36 (11), 05/08/2025 04:53 (16), 07/26/2025 06:14 (2), 03/06/2026 13:04 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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