Dell BSAFE SSL-J: Covert Timing Channel
CVE-2022-24409 is a high-severity covert timing channel vulnerability in Dell BSAFE SSL-J from Dell, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 6.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating Dell BSAFE SSL-J to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.96% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 62% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Dell BSAFE SSL-J to 6.4 or a later version.
- Update Bsafe Ssl-j to 6.4 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on dell.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | Dell BSAFE SSL-J | 5.1; before 6.4 | 6.4 |
| Dell | Bsafe Ssl-j | 6.1.0 up to, but not including, 6.4 | 6.4 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.9 | Medium | CNA (emc.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Dell BSAFE SSL-J contains remediation for a covert timing channel vulnerability that may be exploited by malicious users to compromise the affected system. Only customers with active BSAFE maintenance contracts can receive details about this vulnerability. Public disclosure of the vulnerability details will be shared at a later date.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Covert Timing Channel
Covert timing channels convey information by modulating some aspect of system behavior over time, so that the program receiving the information can observe system behavior and infer protected information.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Whenever possible, specify implementation strategies that do not introduce time variances in operations.
- Often one can artificially manipulate the time which operations take or -- when operations occur -- can remove information from the attacker.
- It is reasonable to add artificial or random delays so that the amount of CPU time consumed is independent of the action being taken by the application.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Dell BSAFE SSL-J
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.