CVE-2024-12133 Overview
A flaw in libtasn1 causes inefficient handling of specific certificate data. When processing a large number of elements in a certificate, libtasn1 takes much longer than expected, which can slow down or even crash the system. This flaw allows an attacker to send a specially crafted certificate, causing a denial of service attack.
Critical Impact
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely to cause denial of service, affecting system availability.
Affected Products
- Not Available
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-10 - CVE CVE-2024-12133 published to NVD
- 2025-10-06 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-12133
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw in libtasn1, identified by CVE-2024-12133, impacts the library's ability to efficiently process large numbers of certificate elements. This inefficiency can be leveraged to exhaust system resources and render the application unresponsive.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper handling and validation of certificate elements, leading to resource exhaustion during parsing operations.
Attack Vector
Network: An attacker can exploit this by delivering specially crafted certificates over the network.
// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
#include <stdio.h>
void exploit() {
printf("Sending crafted certificate...\n");
// Send a large certificate with numerous elements
}
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-12133
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual CPU load spikes
- Excessive memory usage by affected applications
- Unexpected application crashes
Detection Strategies
Deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for abnormal certificate sizes or malformed certificates.
Monitoring Recommendations
Regularly review application logs for patterns of abnormal resource consumption and unexplained downtime.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-12133
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable acceptance of certificates from unverified sources
- Implement resource quotas on certificate processing functions
- Increase logging verbosity to capture detailed parse errors
Patch Information
Refer to Redhat Security Advisory for patch details.
Workarounds
Consider implementing additional input validation layers to filter and control the size of incoming certificates, reducing the risk of resource exhaustion.
# Configuration example
echo "Setting limits on certificate processing"
ulimit -v 1000000
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
