Apache Libcloud SSL Certificate Spoofing Vulnerability (CVE-2012-3446)
Summary
CVE-2012-3446: Apache Libcloud before 0.11.1 uses an incorrect regular expression during verification of whether the server hostname matches a domain name in the subject's Common Name (CN) or subjectAltName field of the X.509 certifica... Affects libcloud versions < 0.5.0-1.1. Fixed in 0.5.0-1.1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Libcloud is an open-source library that provides a unified API for interacting with various cloud service providers. It simplifies the process of managing cloud resources by abstracting the underlying APIs of different providers. However, prior to version 0.11.1, Libcloud had a vulnerability in its SSL certificate verification process, which could allow attackers to spoof SSL servers.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from an incorrect regular expression used by Apache Libcloud to verify whether the server hostname matches a domain name in the X.509 certificate's Common Name (CN) or subjectAltName field. This flaw can be exploited by man-in-the-middle attackers who can present a crafted certificate, leading to potential data interception or manipulation. The technical aspect of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of SSL certificates, which is critical for ensuring secure communications.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.5.0-1.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libcloudTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can implement additional checks in their application to validate SSL certificates manually. However, this is not a substitute for upgrading the library. Example code snippet for manual validation:
import ssl import socket
hostname = 'your.server.com' context = ssl.create_default_context() with socket.create_connection((hostname, 443)) as sock: with context.wrap_socket(sock, server_hostname=hostname) as ssock: print(ssock.version())
Conclusion
CVE-2012-3446 is a significant vulnerability in Apache Libcloud that can lead to SSL spoofing attacks. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to version 0.11.1 or later to mitigate this risk. Temporary workarounds can be implemented, but they do not replace the need for an upgrade.
See every vulnerability recorded for libcloud →
FAQ
CVE-2012-3446 is a vulnerability in Apache Libcloud that allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers due to improper verification of SSL certificates.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Apache Libcloud versions prior to 0.11.1 are affected by this vulnerability.
The CVSS score of CVE-2012-3446 is 5.9, indicating a medium severity level.
If immediate upgrading is not possible, implement additional SSL certificate validation checks in your application as a temporary measure.
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