CVE-2020-10941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Arm Mbed TLS before 2.16.5 allows attackers to obtain sensitive information (an RSA private key) by measuring cache usage during an import.

Understanding CVE-2020-10941

Arm Mbed TLS vulnerability that enables attackers to extract sensitive data.

What is CVE-2020-10941?

CVE-2020-10941 is a security vulnerability in Arm Mbed TLS versions prior to 2.16.5 that permits malicious actors to access sensitive information, specifically an RSA private key, by monitoring cache usage during an import process.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10941

This vulnerability can lead to a severe compromise of security and confidentiality as attackers can extract critical cryptographic keys, potentially enabling unauthorized access to encrypted data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10941

Arm Mbed TLS vulnerability specifics and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Arm Mbed TLS versions before 2.16.5 allows threat actors to exploit cache side-channel attacks to retrieve an RSA private key during the import operation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Vulnerable Versions: All versions before 2.16.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit cache usage patterns during the import process to infer sensitive information, such as RSA private keys, leading to a potential security breach.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate the CVE-2020-10941 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Arm Mbed TLS to version 2.16.5 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Implement secure coding practices to minimize the risk of side-channel attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Arm Mbed TLS.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Arm Mbed TLS promptly to ensure the security of cryptographic operations and sensitive data.