CVE-2018-12438 : Security Advisory and Response

The library known as sunec or libsunec, used for Elliptic Curve Cryptography, is vulnerable to a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures, also known as the Return Of the Hidden Number Problem (ROHNP).

Understanding CVE-2018-12438

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in the Elliptic Curve Cryptography library, enabling attackers to exploit ECDSA signatures through a memory-cache side-channel attack.

What is CVE-2018-12438?

The CVE-2018-12438 vulnerability allows attackers to perform a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures using the sunec or libsunec library.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12438

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as attackers can potentially uncover ECDSA keys by exploiting the memory-cache side-channel attack on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12438

The technical aspects of the CVE-2018-12438 vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The sunec or libsunec library is susceptible to a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability to uncover ECDSA keys by executing a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-12438 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or restrict access to the sunec or libsunec library if not essential.
Implement access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the affected systems and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates related to the sunec or libsunec library to apply patches promptly.