CVE-2020-36425 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in Arm Mbed TLS before 2.24.0. It incorrectly uses a revocationDate check when deciding whether to honor certificate revocation via a CRL. In some situations, an attacker can exploit this by changing the local clock.

Understanding CVE-2020-36425

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Arm Mbed TLS that could be exploited by attackers to bypass certificate revocation checks.

What is CVE-2020-36425?

CVE-2020-36425 is a security flaw in Arm Mbed TLS versions prior to 2.24.0. The vulnerability arises from incorrect validation of revocationDate during certificate revocation checks, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the local clock to evade revocation mechanisms.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36425

The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious actors to undermine the integrity of certificate revocation processes, leading to unauthorized access or fraudulent activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36425

Arm Mbed TLS versions before 2.24.0 are susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

Incorrect usage of revocationDate check for certificate revocation validation
Potential exploitation by altering the local clock

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can manipulate the local clock to evade certificate revocation checks

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-36425.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Arm Mbed TLS to version 2.24.0 or newer
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activity related to certificate revocation

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure time synchronization mechanisms to prevent clock manipulation attacks
Regularly review and update security protocols to address emerging threats

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Arm Mbed TLS to address the vulnerability