Tag Archives: Missing Validation of OpenSSL Certificate

CWE-599 – Missing Validation of OpenSSL Certificate

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Description

The software uses OpenSSL and trusts or uses a certificate without using the SSL_get_verify_result() function to ensure that the certificate satisfies all necessary security requirements.

This could allow an attacker to use an invalid certificate to claim to be a trusted host, use expired certificates, or conduct other attacks that could be detected if the certificate is properly validated.

Modes of Introduction:

– Architecture and Design

 

 

Related Weaknesses

CWE-295

 

Consequences

Confidentiality: Read Application Data

The data read may not be properly secured, it might be viewed by an attacker.

Access Control: Bypass Protection Mechanism, Gain Privileges or Assume Identity

Trust afforded to the system in question may allow for spoofing or redirection attacks.

Access Control: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity

If the certificate is not checked, it may be possible for a redirection or spoofing attack to allow a malicious host with a valid certificate to provide data under the guise of a trusted host. While the attacker in question may have a valid certificate, it may simply be a valid certificate for a different site. In order to ensure data integrity, we must check that the certificate is valid, and that it pertains to the site we wish to access.

 

Potential Mitigations

Phase: Architecture and Design

Description: 

Ensure that proper authentication is included in the system design.

Phase: Implementation

Description: 

Understand and properly implement all checks necessary to ensure the identity of entities involved in encrypted communications.

CVE References