Critical Side-Channel Vulnerability in wolfSSL Package
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-1543: The side-channel protected T-Table implementation in wolfSSL up to version 5.6.5 protects against a side-channel attacker with cache-line resolution. Affects wolfssl versions < 5.6.6-1.2. Fixed in 5.6.6-1.2. How to fix ↓
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Background
wolfSSL is a lightweight SSL/TLS library designed for embedded and IoT devices. It provides secure communication protocols and is widely used in various applications for its efficiency and performance. However, versions up to 5.6.5 are vulnerable to a side-channel attack that can compromise its security in specific environments, particularly those utilizing Intel SGX technology.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the side-channel protected T-Table implementation in wolfSSL, which up to version 5.6.5 is designed to protect against cache-line resolution attacks. However, in controlled environments like Intel SGX, attackers can exploit a per instruction sub-cache-line resolution, effectively bypassing the cache-line-level protection. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, making it critical for users to address this vulnerability promptly.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
5.6.6-1.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade wolfsslTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to update to the patched version as soon as it is available.
Conclusion
The wolfSSL package is critical for secure communications in various applications, but its vulnerability to side-channel attacks in versions up to 5.6.5 poses significant risks. Users are strongly advised to update to version 5.6.6-1.2 or later to ensure their systems remain secure.
See every vulnerability recorded for wolfssl →
FAQ
The vulnerability is a side-channel attack that can exploit cache-line protection in specific environments, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Versions of wolfSSL up to 5.6.5 are affected by this vulnerability.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to monitor the situation and apply the update as soon as possible to mitigate risks.
More details can be found in the official vulnerability report at https://storage.googleapis.com/debian-osv/debian-cve-osv/DEBIAN-CVE-2024-1543.json.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for wolfssl.
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