CVE-2018-0497 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

ARM mbed TLS before versions 2.12.0, 2.7.5, and 2.1.14 is vulnerable to a timing-based side-channel attack, potentially allowing malicious actors to achieve partial plaintext recovery.

Understanding CVE-2018-0497

Prior to versions 2.12.0, 2.7.5, and 2.1.14 of ARM mbed TLS, a vulnerability exists that could be exploited by attackers to gain access to partial plaintext recovery through a timing-based side-channel attack.

What is CVE-2018-0497?

The vulnerability in ARM mbed TLS before specified versions allows remote attackers to achieve partial plaintext recovery via a timing-based side-channel attack.
This security flaw originated from an incorrect fix for CVE-2013-0169, involving a mistaken SHA-384 calculation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0497

Malicious individuals can exploit this vulnerability to potentially access partial plaintext recovery.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0497

ARM mbed TLS before versions 2.12.0, 2.7.5, and 2.1.14 is susceptible to a timing-based side-channel attack.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to achieve partial plaintext recovery for a CBC-based ciphersuite through a timing-based side-channel attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

ARM mbed TLS versions before 2.12.0, 2.7.5, and 2.1.14 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by leveraging a timing-based side-channel attack to gain partial plaintext recovery.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ARM mbed TLS to version 2.12.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories for any patches or updates related to this issue. Long-Term Security Practices
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Regularly review and update cryptographic libraries and dependencies.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Educate developers and security teams on secure coding practices and threat awareness.
Stay informed about the latest security threats and vulnerabilities in cryptographic protocols.
Consider implementing additional security measures such as encryption key management and access controls.
Collaborate with security researchers and vendors to stay updated on emerging threats and best practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by ARM mbed TLS to address the vulnerability and enhance the security of the system.