CVE-2020-36422 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

An issue was discovered in Arm Mbed TLS before 2.23.0 that allows recovery of an ECC private key through a side channel vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2020-36422

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in Arm Mbed TLS that could lead to the exposure of an ECC private key.

What is CVE-2020-36422?

The vulnerability in Arm Mbed TLS before version 2.23.0 enables the recovery of an ECC private key due to a side channel.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36422

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, compromising the security and confidentiality of encrypted data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36422

Arm Mbed TLS before version 2.23.0 is susceptible to a side channel attack that allows the recovery of an ECC private key.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is related to functions such as mbedtls_ecp_check_pub_priv, mbedtls_pk_parse_key, mbedtls_pk_parse_keyfile, mbedtls_ecp_mul, and mbedtls_ecp_mul_restartable.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Affected Versions: All versions before 2.23.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through side channel attacks, potentially leading to the exposure of ECC private keys.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2020-36422.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Arm Mbed TLS to version 2.23.0 or later to address the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on systems using affected versions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Regularly review and update cryptographic libraries to ensure they are up-to-date and secure.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Arm Mbed TLS to address vulnerabilities and enhance security measures.