AfterDawn: Tech news

OpenSSL vulnerable to Man-in-the-Middle attack

Written by James Delahunty @ 05 Jun 2014 8:16

OpenSSL vulnerable to Man-in-the-Middle attack

An OpenSSL Security Advisory has been issued detailing a flaw (CVE-2014-0224) that could be exploited by Man-in-the-Middle attacks between OpenSSL SSL/TLS clients and servers to decrypt or modify traffic.
It involves the use of a specially-crafted handshake to force the use of a weak keying material in OpenSSL SSL/TLS clients and servers, but can only be performed between a vulnerable client and server. In the worst case, this flaw can be exploited by a Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack, where a malicious agent can decrypt and/or modify traffic between the client and server.

All OpenSSL clients are vulnerable to this attack, whereas servers are only vulnerable in OpenSSL 1.0.1 and 1.0.2-beta1, therefore it is absolutely necessary that users of OpenSSL servers earlier than v1.0.1 upgrade.

According to the OpenSSL Security Advisory, which detailed this flaw and six other (albeit less severe) issues, the following upgrades are essential.

OpenSSL 0.9.8 SSL/TLS users (client and/or server) should upgrade to 0.9.8za.
OpenSSL 1.0.0 SSL/TLS users (client and/or server) should upgrade to 1.0.0m.
OpenSSL 1.0.1 SSL/TLS users (client and/or server) should upgrade to 1.0.1h.



OpenSSL is crediting KIKUCHI Masashi (Lepidum Co. Ltd.) for discovering and reporting the issue last month.

Read the rest of the advisory at: www.openssl.org

Tags: OpenSSL
Previous Next  
Comments have been disabled for this article.

Latest news

Windows 11 26H2 released - Start menu changes, improved search, Task Manager changes, .. Windows 11 26H2 released - Start menu changes, improved search, Task Manager changes, .. (30 Sep 2026 12:48)
Microsoft released Windows 11 version 26H2, bringing light updates and deeper AI integration. This update is the first more lightly installing annual Windows update.
Meta VR Glasses revealed - very light, tons of 3D content coming up Meta VR Glasses revealed - very light, tons of 3D content coming up (24 Sep 2026 3:23)
Meta introduced new pair of VR glasses that combine entertainment, work, and AI. According to Meta, lightweight glasses offer an unobtrusive virtual reality experience with cutting-edge technology and an intuitive user interface.
Samsung smart refrigerators received a software update - stopped working, food spoiled Samsung smart refrigerators received a software update - stopped working, food spoiled (24 Sep 2026 3:17)
According to Korean media sources, a software update for Samsung's smart refrigerators has failed miserably. After the update, the refrigerators stopped working completely, and several consumers report that their food has spoiled.
1 user comment
Now sharing links to Facebook costs money Now sharing links to Facebook costs money (22 Sep 2026 5:57)
Meta has started restricting the sharing of external links on Facebook pages, moving a feature that has been completely free and self-evident until now behind an expensive paywall.
Winamp makes a comeback - combines streaming and MP3 player Winamp makes a comeback - combines streaming and MP3 player (20 Sep 2026 3:37)
Winamp returns to the market in 2027 as a streaming service. The new version combines a traditional MP3 player and modern streaming services. Deezer will provide the streaming for Winamp through a partnership.

News archive