CVE-2026-22795 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting OpenSSL, specifically related to the handling of malformed PKCS#12 files. This vulnerability allows an application processing such files to dereference an invalid or NULL pointer, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS). The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a moderate level of risk that organizations need to address.
The potential impact of this vulnerability lies in the application's ability to crash when handling maliciously crafted PKCS#12 files. Given that PKCS#12 files are typically used to store private keys, which are generally considered trusted, the likelihood of untrusted files being processed is low. However, organizations should still take this vulnerability seriously due to the possibility of application downtime.
As of now, there are no known exploits associated with CVE-2026-22795, but the vulnerability has been analyzed and documented. Organizations using affected versions of OpenSSL should prioritize patching to prevent any potential disruptions.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability affects OpenSSL versions 1.1.1, 3.0.0, 3.3.0, 3.4.0, and 3.5.0, while version 1.0.2 is not affected. The urgency for remediation is classified as medium, and organizations should include this issue in their patch management cycles.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability arises from a type confusion in the PKCS#12 parsing code, specifically when accessing an ASN1_TYPE union member without validating the type first. This oversight can cause an invalid pointer read, leading to application crashes.
The vulnerability is constrained to a 1-byte address space, meaning any pointer manipulation can target addresses between 0x00 and 0xFF. This range typically corresponds to the zero page, which is unmapped in most modern operating systems, ensuring any attempted exploitation results in a crash.
OpenSSL versions affected include 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, and 3.0. The FIPS modules in versions 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, and 3.0 are not affected because the PKCS12 implementation is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module boundary.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a failure to validate ASN1_TYPE union members before access, leading to potential memory corruption. The attack vector for this issue is local, requiring that a user or application processes a specially crafted PKCS#12 file.
The attack complexity is low, as it does not require any special privileges, but user interaction is required to process the malformed file. The expected impacts include high availability impact, with no confidentiality or integrity impact.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2026-22795 centers on the potential for service disruption due to application crashes. Although the chances of exploitation are low, organizations utilizing OpenSSL should be vigilant, especially those handling PKCS#12 files in their applications.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is limited to applications processing untrusted PKCS#12 files. However, organizations should evaluate their exposure and assess the necessity of implementing protective measures, especially if their applications are not configured to handle such files safely.
Considering the CVSS score of 5.5, organizations should schedule remediation during their regular patch cycles. While the urgency is classified as medium, it remains a critical part of maintaining operational integrity.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
OpenSSL versions 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, and 3.0 are vulnerable to this issue. OpenSSL version 1.1.1 is also affected, while version 1.0.2 is not affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest patched versions to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch their OpenSSL installations to versions that are not vulnerable. Specific patches addressing this vulnerability have been released. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, organizations should consider implementing strict controls to validate and sanitize PKCS#12 files before processing them.
For detailed guidance, organizations can refer to the comprehensive resources available on our application security assessment services.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor application logs for abnormal termination events that may indicate a crash from processing PKCS#12 files. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in applications that handle cryptographic materials should be closely monitored.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2026-22795 represents a notable vulnerability in OpenSSL, highlighting the importance of robust input validation mechanisms in cryptographic libraries. Security teams should prioritize implementing stringent validation procedures to mitigate risks associated with malformed data inputs.
To enhance security posture, organizations are encouraged to engage in regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments. These practices help identify and address security weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Furthermore, adopting a proactive approach to security, such as integrating security testing into the development lifecycle, can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities in the future. Organizations should also consider exploring continuous penetration testing strategies to maintain an ongoing assessment of their security posture.
Ultimately, the lessons learned from CVE-2026-22795 should drive organizations to prioritize security in their application development processes and to remain vigilant against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)