CVE-2021-43398

MEDIUM

Crypto++ < 8.6.0 - Timing Side-Channel in MakePublicKey()

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Description

Crypto++ (aka Cryptopp) 8.6.0 and earlier contains a timing leakage in MakePublicKey(). There is a clear correlation between execution time and private key length, which may cause disclosure of the length information of the private key. This might allow attackers to conduct timing attacks. NOTE: this report is disputed by the vendor and multiple third parties. The execution-time differences are intentional. A user may make a choice of a longer key as a tradeoff between strength and performance. In making this choice, the amount of information leaked to an adversary is of infinitesimal value

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/issues/1080
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://cryptopp.com
Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/issues/1080#issuecomment-996492222

Scores

CVSS v3 5.3
EPSS 0.0190
EPSS Percentile 76.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Details

CWE
CWE-203
Status published
Products (1)
cryptopp/crypto\+\+ < 8.6.0
Published Nov 04, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026