OpenSSL up to 0.9.8l bn_wexpand input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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9.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in OpenSSL up to 0.9.8l. Affected by this issue is the function bn_wexpand. This manipulation causes input validation. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2009-3245. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in OpenSSL up to 0.9.8l (Network Encryption Software). Affected by this vulnerability is the function bn_wexpand. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

OpenSSL before 0.9.8m does not check for a NULL return value from bn_wexpand function calls in (1) crypto/bn/bn_div.c, (2) crypto/bn/bn_gf2m.c, (3) crypto/ec/ec2_smpl.c, and (4) engines/e_ubsec.c, which has unspecified impact and context-dependent attack vectors.

The issue has been introduced in 07/05/2005. The weakness was published 03/05/2010 by Neel Mehta (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at marc.info. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2009-3245 since 09/18/2009. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1704 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 68023 (Oracle Linux 3 / 4 : openssl096b (ELSA-2010-0173)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Oracle Linux Local Security Checks. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 118226 (Fedora Update for OpenSSL (FEDORA-2010-5744)).

Upgrading to version 0.9.8 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (68023), SecurityFocus (BID 38562†), Secunia (SA38761†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-24979†). Similar entry is available at VDB-52079. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

Support

  • end of life (old version)

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.0

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.0
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: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Proof-of-Concept

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 68023
Nessus Name: Oracle Linux 3 / 4 : openssl096b (ELSA-2010-0173)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 67042
OpenVAS Name: Slackware Advisory SSA:2010-060-02 openssl
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: OpenSSL 0.9.8

Timelineinfo

07/05/2005 🔍
09/18/2009 +1536 days 🔍
02/25/2010 +160 days 🔍
02/25/2010 +0 days 🔍
03/03/2010 +6 days 🔍
03/05/2010 +2 days 🔍
03/05/2010 +0 days 🔍
03/09/2010 +4 days 🔍
07/12/2013 +1221 days 🔍
03/18/2015 +614 days 🔍
05/01/2026 +4062 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: openssl.org

Advisory: marc.info
Researcher: Neel Mehta
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2009-3245 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2009-3245
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-52075

OVAL: 🔍

SecurityFocus: 38562 - OpenSSL 'bn_wexpend()' Error Handling Unspecified Vulnerability
Secunia: 38761 - Slackware update for openssl, Moderately Critical
Vulnerability Center: 24979 - OpenSSL < 0.9.8m and Multiple F5 Products NULL Return Value from bn_wexpand Function Unspecified Vulnerability, Critical
Vupen: ADV-2010-0839

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/18/2015 15:15
Updated: 05/01/2026 20:36
Changes: 03/18/2015 15:15 (67), 02/21/2017 17:27 (14), 09/05/2021 07:13 (3), 05/01/2026 20:36 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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