CVE-2023-4421

nss: new tlsfuzzer code can still detect timing issues in RSA operations

Published Dec 12, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 6.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The NSS code used for checking PKCS#1 v1.5 was leaking information useful in mounting Bleichenbacher-like attacks. Both the overall correctness of the padding as well as the length of the encrypted message was leaking through timing side-channel. By sending large number of attacker-selected ciphertexts, the attacker would be able to decrypt a previously intercepted PKCS#1 v1.5 ciphertext (for example, to decrypt a TLS session that used RSA key exchange), or forge a signature using the victim's key. The issue was fixed by implementing the implicit rejection algorithm, in which the NSS returns a deterministic random message in case invalid padding is detected, as proposed in the Marvin Attack paper. This vulnerability affects NSS < 3.61.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-3634-1 nss security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6727-1 NSS vulnerabilities
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
mozilla
Published
Updated
Nov 4, 2025, 7:25 PM
Reserved
Aug 18, 2023, 1:25 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Dec 12, 2023, 5:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 6:37 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Sep 13, 2023, 12:00 AM