Description
Buffer overflows in OpenSSL 0.9.6d and earlier, and 0.9.7-beta2 and earlier, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a large client master key in SSL2 or (2) a large session ID in SSL3.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | openssl | 0.9.6e-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | openssl | 0.9.6e-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | openssl | 0.9.6e-1 | — |
| Debian 3.0 | openssl | 0.9.6c-2.woody.0 | DSA-136-2, DSA-136-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | openssl094 | 0.9.4-6.woody.0 | DSA-136-3, DSA-136-2, DSA-136-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | openssl095 | 0.9.5a-6.woody.0 | DSA-136-2, DSA-136-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Apache mod_ssl OpenSSL < 0.9.6d / < 0.9.7-beta2 - 'openssl-too-open.c' SSL2 KEY_ARG Overflow EDB-40347 · remote · Sep 17, 2002
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- DSA-136-3 openssl - multiple remote exploits Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-136-1 openssl - multiple remote exploits Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-136-2 openssl - multiple remote exploits Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 5363 vdb-entry
- 5362 vdb-entry
- VU#102795 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2002:046 vendor-advisory
- VU#258555 third-party-advisory
- openssl-ssl2-masterkey-bo(9714) vdb-entry
- CA-2002-23 third-party-advisory
- CLA-2002:513 vendor-advisory
- openssl-ssl3-sessionid-bo(9716) vdb-entry