Vulnerabilities in OpenSSL
Three security issues have been identified in the Open Source implementation of the SSL/TLS protocol, OpenSSL. The vulnerabilities allow targeted attacks.
Developer Andy Polyakov discovered a vulnerability (CVE-2007-4995) in OpenSSL that attackers can exploit for denial of service attacks. The bug, of which details have not been disclosed, affects the DTLS implementation. A successful attack would allow a hacker to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability only affects systems that use DTLS. All 0.9.8 versions up to but not including 0.9.8f are affected, as are 0.9.7 through 0.9.7m.
A second vulnerability has been identified and published under CVE-2007-5135. An off-by-one error in the "SSL_get_shared_ciphers()" function provokes an overflow with a currently unknown effect. The feature is typically used for logging and debugging purposes.
A third vulnerability, which was identified awhile back (CVE-2007-3108), affects the incorrect implementation of Montgomery multiplication in the "crypto/bn/bn_mont.c" function. The bug could give local users the ability to launch side channel attacks and thus capture RSA private keys.
Users are advised to update to the current 0.9.8f version to close the first vulnerability, and to rebuild any packages that use DTLS. If this is not available as an option, the OpenSSl developers suggest disabling DTLS. Damage caused by the second vulnerability can be prevented by not using the affected feature. Updated packages that close all three security holes are available for Red Hat.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.
