CVE-2024-21484 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2024-21484 was published on January 22, 2024, and has a base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability affects versions of the package jsrsasign before 11.0.0, exposing it to Observable Discrepancy via the RSA PKCS1.5 or RSAOAEP decryption process. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to decrypt ciphertexts and requires access to a large number of ciphertexts encrypted with the same key.

Understanding CVE-2024-21484

The vulnerability in CVE-2024-21484 lies within the RSA decryption process in versions of the jsrsasign package before 11.0.0, potentially allowing malicious actors to decrypt encrypted data.

What is CVE-2024-21484?

CVE-2024-21484 is a vulnerability in the jsrsasign package that enables attackers to exploit Observable Discrepancy in the RSA decryption process, leading to unauthorized decryption of ciphertexts.

The Impact of CVE-2024-21484

The impact of CVE-2024-21484 is significant, as it can result in the exposure of sensitive information due to unauthorized decryption, potentially compromising the confidentiality of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-21484

The vulnerability description indicates that attackers can decrypt ciphertexts through the RSA PKCS1.5 or RSAOAEP decryption process. Multiple versions of jsrsasign and related packages are affected, making them vulnerable to this exploit.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit Observable Discrepancy in the RSA decryption process, granting unauthorized access to encrypted data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of the jsrsasign package before 11.0.0, along with related packages such as org.webjars.npm:jsrsasign and org.webjars.bowergithub.kjur:jsrsasign, are impacted by CVE-2024-21484.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires attackers to have access to a significant number of ciphertexts encrypted with the same key, enabling them to decrypt the data using the RSA decryption process.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2024-21484 and mitigate its impact, immediate steps should be taken, followed by the adoption of long-term security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations can mitigate the vulnerability by replacing the RSA and RSAOAEP decryption processes with alternative crypto libraries as a temporary workaround.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and staying updated on security patches and updates can help prevent vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-21484 in the long term.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to update the affected packages, including jsrsasign and related dependencies, to versions that have addressed the vulnerability. Regularly monitoring for security advisories and applying patches promptly can enhance system security and protect against potential exploits.