CVE-2020-36424 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in Arm Mbed TLS before 2.24.0 that allows an attacker to recover a private key via a side-channel attack.

Understanding CVE-2020-36424

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Arm Mbed TLS that could lead to the exposure of private keys through a side-channel attack during the generation of base blinding/unblinding values.

What is CVE-2020-36424?

CVE-2020-36424 is a security flaw in Arm Mbed TLS versions prior to 2.24.0 that enables attackers to retrieve private keys for RSA or static Diffie-Hellman encryption through a side-channel attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36424

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of encrypted communications, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36424

Arm Mbed TLS versions before 2.24.0 are susceptible to this security issue.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit a side-channel attack to recover private keys during the generation of base blinding/unblinding values.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions Affected: All versions before 2.24.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by conducting a side-channel attack against the generation of base blinding/unblinding values, leading to the recovery of private keys.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Arm Mbed TLS to version 2.24.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement additional security measures to protect private keys and sensitive data.

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 the system and prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.