Ada Web Server: Improper Certificate Validation
CVE-2024-55581 is a high-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in Ada Web Server from Adacore, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Ada Web Server versions: 25.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Ada Web Server you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on docs.adacore.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adacore | Ada Web Server | 25.0 | Not stated |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 11.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. 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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
When AdaCore Ada Web Server 25.0.0 is linked with GnuTLS, the default behaviour of AWS.Client is vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle attack because of lack of verification of an HTTPS server's certificate (unless the using program specifies a TLS configuration).
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation
The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00007.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Ada Web Server
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
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