Description
The x509parse_crt function in x509.h in PolarSSL 1.1.x before 1.1.7 and 1.2.x before 1.2.8 does not properly parse certificate messages during the SSL/TLS handshake, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via a certificate message that contains a PEM encoded certificate.
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 7 | polarssl | 1.2.9-1~deb7u1 | DSA-2782-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | polarssl | 1.2.9-1~deb6u1 | DSA-2782-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-2782-1 polarssl - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- FEDORA-2013-16258 vendor-advisory
- https://polarssl.org/tech-updates/security-advisories/polarssl-security-advisory-2013-03
- FEDORA-2013-16317 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=997767
- FEDORA-2013-16356 vendor-advisory
- https://github.com/polarssl/polarssl/commit/1922a4e6aade7b1d685af19d4d9339ddb5c02859
- DSA-2782 vendor-advisory
- 61764 vdb-entry