CVE-2018-3691 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain versions of Intel Integrated Performance Primitives Cryptography Library, specifically those prior to 2018 U3.1, have a vulnerability that could lead to information disclosure due to inconsistent execution time.

Understanding CVE-2018-3691

Some implementations in Intel Integrated Performance Primitives Cryptography Library before version 2018 U3.1 do not properly ensure constant execution time.

What is CVE-2018-3691?

CVE-2018-3691 is a vulnerability in the Intel Integrated Performance Primitives Cryptography Library that could allow attackers to exploit inconsistent execution times to disclose sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2018-3691

The vulnerability could result in information disclosure due to the lack of consistent execution time measures in affected versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-3691

Vulnerability Description

Vulnerability in Intel Integrated Performance Primitives Cryptography Library before 2018 U3.1
Lack of necessary measures for consistent execution time

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Integrated Performance Primitives Cryptography Library
Vendor: Intel Corporation
Versions Affected: Before 2018 U3.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit the inconsistent execution times to potentially disclose sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to version 2018 U3.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability
Monitor for any unusual activities that could indicate exploitation

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions
Implement strong access controls and encryption mechanisms

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and security updates provided by Intel to address the vulnerability