NULL pointer deref in signature_algorithms processing (CVE-2021-3449)
Published Last modified Sources: BSI, Debian, CVE.org, OSV
What is affected, what to do
An OpenSSL TLS server may crash if sent a maliciously crafted renegotiation ClientHello message from a client. If a TLSv1.2 renegotiation ClientHello omits the signature_algorithms extension (where it was present in the initial ClientHello), but includes a signature_algorithms_cert extension then a NULL pointer dereference will result, leading to a crash and a denial of service attack.
Update node.js to version 12.22.1, openssl to version 1.1.1k, jd_edwards_enterpriseone_tools to version 9.2.6.0.
- Affected
- OpenSSL
eq Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1k (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1j)..Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1k (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1j)
- OpenSSL
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Metrics
5.9
Priority
XIEM Effective CVSS: highest available CVSS rating from NVD and vendor data.
Source: NVD, CVSS v3
5.9
CVSS v3
Severity Medium on the scale from 0 to 10.
Source: BSI, Debian, CVE.org, OSV
63.5 %
EPSS score
High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.
Source: FIRST EPSS, percentile 99.21
Show all metrics
- Severity
- Medium
Priority (0–325)
The priority score is a consolidated metric that condenses several individual signals into a single, action-guiding ranking: technical severity (CVSS), exploitation likelihood (EPSS), known-exploited status (KEV) and the context of the affected asset. The aim is to answer the only truly important question in vulnerability management: what first?
Read in glossary- 108.24 Methodology
Exploit maturity
An exploit is code or a technique that specifically uses a concrete vulnerability to force unintended behaviour — such as executing code or escalating privileges. It is the tool that turns a theoretical flaw into a practical attack.
Read in glossary- no public PoC known
XIEM Effective CVSS
XIEM® is the tiered managed-security operating model from NEOSEC and a registered trademark of NEOSEC GmbH. It extends classic SIEM — the central collection, normalisation and correlation of security-relevant events — with endpoint forensics, network visibility and deception technology, and consolidates them into three building tiers: Sentry, Orchestrate and Command.
Read in glossary- 5.9 Methodology
CVSS v3
CVSS is the globally established, open standard for assessing the technical severity of a vulnerability on a scale from 0 to 10. It describes how easily a flaw can be exploited and what damage it can cause — but not how likely its actual exploitation is. CVSS and the complementary EPSS deliberately answer different questions.
Read in glossary- 5.9
EPSS score
The EPSS score is the absolute model output for an individual vulnerability: the estimated probability of real-world exploitation within the next 30 days, expressed as a value between 0 and 1 (i.e. 0 % to 100 %). A score of 0.42 means „the model estimates a 42 % chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days“.
Read in glossary- 63.5 %
- High — model estimates ≥ 50% chance of real-world exploitation within 30 days.
EPSS percentile
The EPSS percentile is the relative position of a vulnerability within all EPSS-scored CVEs, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. A percentile of 0.90 means „this CVE has a higher EPSS score than 90 % of all other scored CVEs“. Unlike the EPSS score, it is not a probability — but a positioning within a ranking.
Read in glossary- 99.21
- Critical — this CVE ranks in the top fifth of all CVEs scored today (rank ≥ 80%).
KEV status
The KEV catalogue is a list maintained by the US authority CISA of vulnerabilities for which active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. It answers not the question „how severe?“ but „is it already being attacked?“ — thereby sharply prioritising patching.
Read in glossary- —
- Published
Detection rules
No NEOSEC detection rule is available for this vulnerability yet.
Classification under NIS2 and CRA
Rule-based classification from exploitation status and severity. It does not replace a case-by-case assessment.
NIS2
NIS2 is EU Directive (EU) 2022/2555 to raise the level of cybersecurity across the Union. It substantially broadens obligations compared with the first NIS directive: more sectors, mandatory risk management, staged reporting duties and personal accountability of senior management.
Read in glossary- Handle the vulnerability in regular vulnerability handling under Art. 21(2)(e) NIS2.
CRA
The CRA is EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 setting horizontal cybersecurity requirements for „products with digital elements“ — from industrial controllers and software to connected consumer devices. For the first time manufacturers must ensure security across the entire product lifecycle, handle vulnerabilities and provide security updates.
Read in glossary- From 11.12.2027, Annex I Part II CRA requires manufacturers of affected products with digital elements to handle vulnerabilities without delay and provide security updates.
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the internationally leading standard for an information security management system (ISMS). It describes a risk-based, process-oriented framework to systematically plan, implement, review and improve information security.
Read in glossary- Control A.8.8, management of technical vulnerabilities: assess relevance to your systems, plan remediation and keep evidence.
Description
An OpenSSL TLS server may crash if sent a maliciously crafted renegotiation ClientHello message from a client. If a TLSv1.2 renegotiation ClientHello omits the signature_algorithms extension (where it was present in the initial ClientHello), but includes a signature_algorithms_cert extension then a NULL pointer dereference will result, leading to a crash and a denial of service attack. A server is only vulnerable if it has TLSv1.2 and renegotiation enabled (which is the default configuration). OpenSSL TLS clients are not impacted by this issue. All OpenSSL 1.1.1 versions are affected by this issue. Users of these versions should upgrade to OpenSSL 1.1.1k. OpenSSL 1.0.2 is not impacted by this issue. Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1k (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1j).
Source: BSI CSAF, BSI WID Portal, Debian Security Advisories, cvelistv5, OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities), NVD (NIST)
Affected products
The following versions are affected. Older releases of the same product line are also vulnerable unless stated otherwise.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSSL | OpenSSL |
|
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| mcafee | web_gateway |
|
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| mcafee | web_gateway_cloud_service |
|
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| netapp | active_iq_unified_manager |
|
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| netapp | cloud_volumes_ontap_mediator |
|
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| netapp | e-series_performance_analyzer |
|
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| netapp | oncommand_insight |
|
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| netapp | oncommand_workflow_automation |
|
|
| netapp | ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility |
|
|
| netapp | santricity_smi-s_provider |
|
|
| netapp | snapcenter |
|
|
| netapp | storagegrid |
|
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| nodejs | node.js |
|
|
| openssl | openssl |
|
|
| oracle | communications_communications_policy_management |
|
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| oracle | enterprise_manager_for_storage_management |
|
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| oracle | essbase |
|
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| oracle | graalvm |
|
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| oracle | jd_edwards_enterpriseone_tools |
|
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| oracle | jd_edwards_world_security |
|
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| oracle | mysql_connectors |
|
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| oracle | mysql_server |
|
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| oracle | mysql_workbench |
|
|
| oracle | peoplesoft_enterprise_peopletools |
|
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| oracle | primavera_unifier |
|
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| oracle | secure_backup |
|
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| oracle | secure_global_desktop |
|
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| oracle | zfs_storage_appliance_kit |
|
|
| siemens | simatic_logon |
|
|
Distribution and container packages (7)
Downstream packages (e.g. Bitnami, Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat). Versions refer to the distribution, not the vendor.
| Affected versions | Fixed in | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| bitnami | node-min |
|
|
Vendors and products
- Check Point
- Debian Debian Linux
- Debian Openssl
- Dell Dell ECS
- Fedora Project Infrastructure Fedora
- FreeBSD FreeBSD
- McAfee McAfee Web Gateway (MWG)
- NetApp Active IQ Unified Manager
- NetApp Cloud Volumes Ontap Mediator
- NetApp E-series Performance Analyzer
- NetApp NetApp OnCommand Insight
- NetApp NetApp OnCommand Workflow Automation
Affected operating systems
| BSD | freebsd | freebsd | 12.2 |
| Linux | debian | debian_linux | 10.0 |
| Linux | debian | debian_linux | 9.0 |
| Linux | debian | openssl | buster |
| Other | fedoraproject | fedora | 34 |
| Other | checkpoint | multi-domain_management_firmware | r80.40 |
| Other | checkpoint | multi-domain_management_firmware | r81 |
| Other | checkpoint | quantum_security_gateway_firmware | r80.40 |
| Other | checkpoint | quantum_security_gateway_firmware | r81 |
| Other | checkpoint | quantum_security_management_firmware | r80.40 |
| Other | checkpoint | quantum_security_management_firmware | r81 |
| Other | siemens | ruggedcom_rcm1224_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_lpe9403_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_m-800_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_s602_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_s612_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_s615_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_s623_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_s627-2m_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_sc-600_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_w1700_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_w700_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_xb-200_firmware | — |
| Other | siemens | scalance_xc-200_firmware | — |
References & sources
- crates.iocrates/openssl-srcpackage
- rustsec.orgadvisories/RUSTSEC-2021-0055.htmladvisory
- openssl.orgnews/secadv/20210325.txtweb
- git.openssl.orggitweb/?p=openssl.git;a=commitdiff;h=fb9fa6b51defd48157eeb207f5…
- tools.cisco.com20210325 Multiple Vulnerabilities in OpenSSL Affecting Cisco Products: March 2021Vendor advisory
- debian.orgDSA-4875Vendor advisory
- openwall.com[oss-security] 20210327 OpenSSL 1.1.1 CVE-2021-3450 CA certificate check bypass with X509_V_FLAG_X509_STRICT, CVE-2021-3449 NULL pointer deref in signature_algorithms processingMailing list
- openwall.com[oss-security] 20210327 Re: OpenSSL 1.1.1 CVE-2021-3450 CA certificate check bypass with X509_V_FLAG_X509_STRICT, CVE-2021-3449 NULL pointer deref in signature_algorithms processingMailing list
- openwall.com[oss-security] 20210328 Re: OpenSSL 1.1.1 CVE-2021-3450 CA certificate check bypass with X509_V_FLAG_X509_STRICT, CVE-2021-3449 NULL pointer deref in signature_algorithms processingMailing list
- openwall.com[oss-security] 20210328 Re: OpenSSL 1.1.1 CVE-2021-3450 CA certificate check bypass with X509_V_FLAG_X509_STRICT, CVE-2021-3449 NULL pointer deref in signature_algorithms processingMailing list
- security.gentoo.orgGLSA-202103-03Vendor advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.orgFEDORA-2021-cbf14ab8f9Vendor advisory
- oracle.comsecurity-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
- tenable.comsecurity/tns-2021-10
- tenable.comsecurity/tns-2021-09
- security.netapp.comadvisory/ntap-20210513-0002
- security.netapp.comadvisory/ntap-20210326-0006
- security.freebsd.orgadvisories/FreeBSD-SA-21:07.openssl.asc
- tenable.comsecurity/tns-2021-06
- tenable.comsecurity/tns-2021-05
Reanalysis & status changes
Chronological NVD audit events for this CVE — reanalyses, CVSS updates, CPE diffs.
CVE Modifiedopenssl-security@openssl.org
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/27/1
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/27/2
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/28/3
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/28/4
CVE Modified134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
- SSVC: after {"id":"CVE-2021-3449","role":"CISA Coordinator","options":[{"exploitation":"none"},{"automatable":"yes"},{"technicalI…
CVE Modifiedaf854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/27/1
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/27/2
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/28/3
- Reference: after http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/28/4
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<a href="https://intel.neosec.eu/en/cve/CVE-2021-3449"><img src="https://intel.neosec.eu/badge/cve/CVE-2021-3449.svg?lang=en" alt="CVE-2021-3449 – NEOSEC Intel" height="20"></a>