CVE-2016-2182
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in OpenSSL's BN_bn2dec function allows remote attackers to trigger an out-of-bounds write via specially crafted input, potentially causing denial of service (application crash) or arbitrary code execution. It affects systems running OpenSSL versions before 1.1.0. Any application using vulnerable OpenSSL libraries for cryptographic operations could be impacted.
💻 Affected Systems
- OpenSSL
- Applications using OpenSSL libraries
📦 What is this software?
Linux by Oracle
Linux by Oracle
Linux by Oracle
Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →Openssl by Openssl
OpenSSL is a robust, commercial-grade toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It provides cryptographic functions and is one of the most widely used libraries for implementing secure communications in applications worldwide.
Learn more about Openssl →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Denial of service through application crashes, disrupting services that rely on OpenSSL for TLS/SSL operations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation and least privilege principles are followed, though service disruption remains possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without authentication, making it attractive for attackers. Public proof-of-concept code exists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: OpenSSL 1.1.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.openssl.org/news/secadv/20160922.txt
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify OpenSSL version using 'openssl version'. 2. Upgrade to OpenSSL 1.1.0 or later using your distribution's package manager. 3. Restart all services using OpenSSL. 4. Recompile any statically linked applications with updated libraries.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable functionality
allIf possible, disable or restrict use of BN_bn2dec function in applications
Application-specific configuration required
Network segmentation
allIsolate vulnerable systems from untrusted networks
firewall rules to restrict access to affected services
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit exposure
- Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems to monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Run 'openssl version' and check if version is below 1.1.0Check Version:
openssl versionVerify Fix Applied:
Run 'openssl version' and confirm version is 1.1.0 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes with OpenSSL errors
- Memory corruption warnings in system logs
- Unexpected process terminations
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to SSL/TLS services
- Connection attempts followed by service crashes
SIEM Query:
source="*openssl*" AND ("crash" OR "segmentation fault" OR "memory corruption")🔗 References
- http://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10759
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00022.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00023.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00024.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00031.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00005.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00011.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00012.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00029.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2017-10/msg00010.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2017-10/msg00011.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-02/msg00032.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1940.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Jul/31
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21995039
- http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3673
- http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20170322-01-openssl-en
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-3678067.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2017-3236626.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2016-3090545.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinoct2016-3090547.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92557
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036688
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037968
- http://www.splunk.com/view/SP-CAAAPSV
- http://www.splunk.com/view/SP-CAAAPUE
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3087-1
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3087-2
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2185
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2186
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2187
- https://bto.bluecoat.com/security-advisory/sa132
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-412672.pdf
- https://git.openssl.org/?p=openssl.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=07bed46f332fce8c1d157689a2cdf915a982ae34
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c05302448
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05302448
- https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA40312
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10171
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10215
- https://security.FreeBSD.org/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-16:26.openssl.asc
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-03-01
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-03-01.html
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K01276005
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03856en_us
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03856en_us
- https://www.arista.com/en/support/advisories-notices/security-advisories/1749-security-advisory-24
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-16
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-20
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-21
- http://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10759
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00022.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00023.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00024.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-09/msg00031.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00005.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00011.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00012.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2016-10/msg00029.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2017-10/msg00010.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2017-10/msg00011.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2018-02/msg00032.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-1940.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Jul/31
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21995039
- http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3673
- http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20170322-01-openssl-en
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-3678067.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujan2018-3236628.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2016-2881722.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2017-3236626.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2016-3090545.html
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/ovmbulletinoct2016-3090547.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92557
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036688
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037968
- http://www.splunk.com/view/SP-CAAAPSV
- http://www.splunk.com/view/SP-CAAAPUE
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3087-1
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3087-2
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2185
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2186
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2187
- https://bto.bluecoat.com/security-advisory/sa132
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-412672.pdf
- https://git.openssl.org/?p=openssl.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=07bed46f332fce8c1d157689a2cdf915a982ae34
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c05302448
- https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05302448
- https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA40312
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10171
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10215
- https://security.FreeBSD.org/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-16:26.openssl.asc
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-03-01
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-03-01.html
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K01276005
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03856en_us
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbhf03856en_us
- https://www.arista.com/en/support/advisories-notices/security-advisories/1749-security-advisory-24
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-16
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-20
- https://www.tenable.com/security/tns-2016-21
