Sensitive-data inference via RSA-PSK timing differences
Published Jan 16, 2024 · Updated Mar 24, 2026
Timing side channel in GnuTLS 3.8.0 through 3.8.2 allows remote attackers to infer sensitive data via RSA-PSK handshakes. The _gnutls_proc_rsa_psk_client_kx routine in lib/auth/rsa_psk.c produces measurably different response times for malformed RSA ciphertexts and correctly padded PKCS#1 v1.5 inputs. Exploitation requires an RSA-PSK server and enough chosen-ciphertext observations to resolve nanosecond-scale differences; no integrity or availability impact is reported.
Summary
What happened
Timing side channel in GnuTLS 3.8.0 through 3.8.2 allows remote attackers to infer sensitive data via RSA-PSK handshakes. The _gnutls_proc_rsa_psk_client_kx routine in lib/auth/rsa_psk.c produces measurably different response times for malformed RSA ciphertexts and correctly padded PKCS#1 v1.5 inputs. Exploitation requires an RSA-PSK server and enough chosen-ciphertext observations to resolve nanosecond-scale differences; no integrity or availability impact is reported.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-0553
- Published
- Jan 16, 2024
- Updated
- Mar 24, 2026
- Vendor
- Red Hat
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Classifications
- CWE-203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 16, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 24, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- tlsfuzzer Bleichenbacher timing testproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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