Description
The (1) serf_ssl_cert_issuer, (2) serf_ssl_cert_subject, and (3) serf_ssl_cert_certificate functions in Serf 0.2.0 through 1.3.x before 1.3.7 does not properly handle a NUL byte in a domain name in the subject's Common Name (CN) field of an X.509 certificate, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof arbitrary SSL servers via a crafted certificate issued by a legitimate Certification Authority.
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 | serf | 1.3.7-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | serf | 1.3.7-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | serf | 1.3.7-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | serf | 1.3.3-1ubuntu0.1 | USN-2315-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libserf | 1.3.9-1.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10569-1 |
Advisories 2
- USN-2315-1 serf vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10569-1 libserf-1-1-1.3.9-1.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
References
- USN-2315-1 vendor-advisory
- 69238 vdb-entry
- 60721 third-party-advisory
- https://subversion.apache.org/security/CVE-2014-3522-advisory.txt
- https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21topic/serf-dev/NvgPoK6sFsc
- openSUSE-SU-2014:1059 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-201610-05 vendor-advisory
- 59584 third-party-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinoct2015-2511968.html