#VU43979 Cryptographic issues in PyCrypto - CVE-2012-2417

Vulnerability identifier: #VU43979

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 2.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2012-2417

CWE-ID: CWE-310

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
PyCrypto
Client/Desktop applications / Encryption software

Vendor: GNU

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to manipulate data.

PyCrypto before 2.6 does not produce appropriate prime numbers when using an ElGamal scheme to generate a key, which reduces the signature space or public key space and makes it easier for attackers to conduct brute force attacks to obtain the private key.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

PyCrypto: 1.0.0 - 2.4.1

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External links
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-June/081713.html
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-June/081759.html
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2012-June/081789.html
https://secunia.com/advisories/49263
https://www.debian.org/security/2012/dsa-2502
https://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2012:117
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/05/25/1
https://www.osvdb.org/82279
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/53687
https://bugs.launchpad.net/pycrypto/+bug/985164
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/75871
https://github.com/dlitz/pycrypto/blob/373ea760f21701b162e8c4912a66928ee30d401a/ChangeLog
https://github.com/Legrandin/pycrypto/commit/9f912f13df99ad3421eff360d6a62d7dbec755c2
https://hermes.opensuse.org/messages/15083589

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.