CVE-2021-23841

MEDIUM

OpenSSL 1.0.2-1.0.2x and 1.1.1-1.1.1i - Denial of Service via X509_issuer_and_serial_hash NULL Pointer Dereference

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2021-23841. PoCs published by Satheesh575555, Trinadh465.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository appears to be a fork or snapshot of OpenSSL 1.1.0 with configuration and build scripts, but lacks explicit exploit code for CVE-2021-23841. The files provided are standard OpenSSL build and configuration files, not a functional PoC.

Description

The OpenSSL public API function X509_issuer_and_serial_hash() attempts to create a unique hash value based on the issuer and serial number data contained within an X509 certificate. However it fails to correctly handle any errors that may occur while parsing the issuer field (which might occur if the issuer field is maliciously constructed). This may subsequently result in a NULL pointer deref and a crash leading to a potential denial of service attack. The function X509_issuer_and_serial_hash() is never directly called by OpenSSL itself so applications are only vulnerable if they use this function directly and they use it on certificates that may have been obtained from untrusted sources. OpenSSL versions 1.1.1i and below are affected by this issue. Users of these versions should upgrade to OpenSSL 1.1.1j. OpenSSL versions 1.0.2x and below are affected by this issue. However OpenSSL 1.0.2 is out of support and no longer receiving public updates. Premium support customers of OpenSSL 1.0.2 should upgrade to 1.0.2y. Other users should upgrade to 1.1.1j. Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1j (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1i). Fixed in OpenSSL 1.0.2y (Affected 1.0.2-1.0.2x).

Exploits (2)

nomisec WRITEUP
by Satheesh575555 · poc
https://github.com/Satheesh575555/Openssl_1_1_0_CVE-2021-23841

This repository appears to be a fork or snapshot of OpenSSL 1.1.0 with configuration and build scripts, but lacks explicit exploit code for CVE-2021-23841. The files provided are standard OpenSSL build and configuration files, not a functional PoC.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: OpenSSL 1.1.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to vulnerable OpenSSL 1.1.0 installation
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Trinadh465 · poc
https://github.com/Trinadh465/external_boringssl_openssl_1.1.0g_CVE-2021-23841

This repository contains a full OpenSSL 1.1.0g source tree with a Travis CI configuration that builds and tests the library, including configurations for various sanitizers and cross-compilation targets. The presence of the CVE in the repository name suggests it is a patched or vulnerable version for testing purposes.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: OpenSSL 1.1.0g
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to a build environment with compilers and dependencies
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →

References (22)

Core 22
Core References
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202103-03
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/May/70
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/May/68
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2021/May/67
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4855

Scores

CVSS v3 5.9
EPSS 0.0096
EPSS Percentile 77.0%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-476
Status published
Products (36)
apple/ipados < 14.6
apple/iphone_os < 14.6
apple/macos 11.1 - 11.4
apple/safari < 14.1.1
crates.io/openssl-src 0 - 111.14.0crates.io
debian/debian_linux 10.0
netapp/oncommand_insight
netapp/oncommand_workflow_automation
netapp/snapcenter
openssl/openssl 1.0.2 - 1.0.2y
... and 26 more
Published Feb 16, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026