CVE-2022-2097 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting OpenSSL's AES OCB mode on 32-bit x86 platforms. It was published on July 5, 2022, and has been modified since its initial release. The vulnerability arises from the AES-NI assembly optimized implementation, which may not encrypt all data in certain circumstances. This flaw can potentially reveal up to sixteen bytes of plaintext data that exists in memory but was not intended to be written. Although this issue is serious, it is crucial to note that OpenSSL does not support OCB-based cipher suites for TLS and DTLS, rendering these protocols unaffected. Organizations using affected versions of OpenSSL are strongly encouraged to apply patches immediately.
The CVSS 3.1 score for this vulnerability is 5.3, categorized as medium severity. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The impact on confidentiality is classified as low, meaning there is a risk of partial data exposure. The urgency for organizations to patch this vulnerability is classified as medium, with remediation prioritized in the next patch cycle.
The following versions of OpenSSL are affected: versions 1.1.1 through 1.1.1p and 3.0.0 through 3.0.4. The vulnerability was fixed in OpenSSL version 3.0.5 and 1.1.1q. Organizations using these versions should prioritize updating to the latest versions to mitigate the risk of data leakage associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states: 'AES OCB mode for 32-bit x86 platforms using the AES-NI assembly optimized implementation will not encrypt the entirety of the data under some circumstances. This could reveal sixteen bytes of data that was preexisting in the memory that wasn't written. In the special case of "in place" encryption, sixteen bytes of the plaintext would be revealed. Since OpenSSL does not support OCB based cipher suites for TLS and DTLS, they are both unaffected.' The vulnerability is classified under CWE-327.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2022-2097 lies in the implementation of the AES OCB mode, which fails to encrypt all data, leading to potential data exposure. The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit the flaw without needing physical access. Given the low complexity of the attack, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is not necessary, making it easier for attackers to exploit.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability includes the potential exposure of sensitive data from memory. Organizations utilizing affected versions of OpenSSL could inadvertently expose confidential information, depending on the context of the application and the data processed. With a CVSS score of 5.3, organizations should schedule remediation in their next patch cycle to mitigate the risk.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include OpenSSL 1.1.1 through 1.1.1p and 3.0.0 through 3.0.4. Organizations should upgrade to OpenSSL 3.0.5 or 1.1.1q to address the vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching OpenSSL to versions 3.0.5 or 1.1.1q immediately. If patches cannot be applied, organizations should consider implementing workarounds such as limiting exposure of affected systems and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns. For comprehensive security assessments, organizations can utilize application security assessments to identify weaknesses in their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any indicators of unauthorized access to sensitive data. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected memory access or data exposure should be flagged for investigation. Additionally, network signatures that correlate with the exploitation of this vulnerability should be implemented to enhance detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-2097 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with encryption implementation flaws. Security teams should learn from this incident to ensure that robust testing and validation processes are in place for cryptographic libraries. Furthermore, organizations should consider adopting a continuous security testing approach to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly. For further information on enhancing security measures, organizations can refer to the penetration testing services available from AppSecure.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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