Memory-cache side-channel attack in Libgcrypt - CVE-2018-0495
Published: June 16, 2018 / Updated: April 7, 2020
Vulnerability identifier: #VU13370
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4.0: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Clear
CVE-ID: CVE-2018-0495
CWE-ID: CWE-200
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
Public exploit is available
Vendor: GNU
Affected software:
Libgcrypt
Libgcrypt
Detailed vulnerability description
The vulnerability allows a local attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information.
The vulnerability exists due to a leakage of information through memory caches when the affected library uses a private key to create Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) signatures. A local attacker can conduct a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures and recover sensitive information, such as ECDSA private keys, which could be used to conduct further attacks.
Note: The vulnerability is known as the "Return Of the Hidden Number Problem" or ROHNP.
How to mitigate CVE-2018-0495
Update to version 1.7.10, 1.8.3.