CVE-2024-13176
📋 TL;DR
A timing side-channel vulnerability in ECDSA signature computations could allow an attacker to recover private keys, particularly affecting the NIST P-521 curve. This primarily impacts systems using OpenSSL FIPS modules for ECDSA operations. Attackers need either local access or extremely fast network connections to exploit this.
💻 Affected Systems
- OpenSSL FIPS modules
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of private keys used for ECDSA signatures, leading to impersonation, data decryption, and authentication bypass.
Likely Case
Limited risk due to the need for precise timing measurements; only sophisticated attackers with specific access could potentially recover keys over time.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are patched or use unaffected curves; proper network segmentation reduces remote exploitation risk.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires precise timing measurements (~300ns differences) and either local access or extremely low-latency network conditions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patched in OpenSSL 3.4.2, 3.3.9, 3.2.11, 3.1.12, 3.0.14 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.openssl.org/news/secadv/20241210.txt
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify OpenSSL version with 'openssl version'. 2. Update to patched version via package manager (apt/yum) or compile from source. 3. Restart all services using OpenSSL.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable NIST P-521 curve
allConfigure applications to avoid using the NIST P-521 elliptic curve for ECDSA operations
Application-specific configuration required
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict physical and network access to systems performing ECDSA operations
- Use alternative cryptographic algorithms or curves not affected by this vulnerability
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check OpenSSL version with 'openssl version' and verify if it's in affected range (3.0-3.4 before patched versions)Check Version:
openssl versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 3.4.2+, 3.3.9+, 3.2.11+, 3.1.12+, or 3.0.14+ with 'openssl version'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- No specific log indicators for this vulnerability
Network Indicators:
- Unusual timing analysis traffic to systems performing ECDSA operations
SIEM Query:
No specific SIEM query available due to the nature of timing side-channel attacks🔗 References
- https://github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/07272b05b04836a762b4baa874958af51d513844
- https://github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/2af62e74fb59bc469506bc37eb2990ea408d9467
- https://github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/392dcb336405a0c94486aa6655057f59fd3a0902
- https://github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/4b1cb94a734a7d4ec363ac0a215a25c181e11f65
- https://github.com/openssl/openssl/commit/77c608f4c8857e63e98e66444e2e761c9627916f
- https://github.openssl.org/openssl/extended-releases/commit/0d5fd1ab987f7571e2c955d8d8b638fc0fb54ded
- https://github.openssl.org/openssl/extended-releases/commit/a2639000db19878d5d89586ae7b725080592ae86
- https://openssl-library.org/news/secadv/20250120.txt
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/01/20/2
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00028.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20250124-0005/
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20250418-0010/
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20250502-0006/
