CVE-2017-3736 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A carry propagating bug has been identified in the x86_64 Montgomery squaring procedure in OpenSSL versions before 1.0.2m and 1.1.0 before 1.1.0g. This vulnerability affects processors supporting BMI1, BMI2, and ADX extensions.

Understanding CVE-2017-3736

This CVE involves a carry propagating bug in OpenSSL versions before 1.0.2m and 1.1.0 before 1.1.0g, impacting certain processor types.

What is CVE-2017-3736?

The CVE-2017-3736 vulnerability is a carry propagating bug in the x86_64 Montgomery squaring procedure in specific OpenSSL versions.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3736

No EC algorithms are affected by this bug.
Attacks against RSA and DSA are deemed difficult and unlikely.
Attacks against DH are technically possible but challenging, requiring significant resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3736

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE-2017-3736 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a carry propagating bug in the x86_64 Montgomery squaring procedure in OpenSSL versions before 1.0.2m and 1.1.0 before 1.1.0g.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OpenSSL
Vendor: OpenSSL Software Foundation
Affected Versions: 1.1.0 - 1.1.0f, 1.0.2 - 1.0.2l

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacks against DH are technically possible but challenging, requiring significant resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-3736, follow these mitigation and prevention strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenSSL to versions 1.0.2m or 1.1.0g to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities on systems using affected versions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update OpenSSL and other software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and encryption protocols to enhance security.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OpenSSL to fix the carry propagating bug.