CVE-2018-0737: Cache timing vulnerability in RSA Key Generation

Published Apr 16, 2018
·
Updated

Last updated 25 August 2025

Other sources

OpenSSL before versions 1.0.2p and 1.1.0i are vulnerable to RSA key generation cache timing side channel attacks. An attacker with sufficient access to mount cache timing attacks during the RSA key generation process could recover the private key.

External References:

https://www.openssl.org/news/secadv/20180416.txt http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2018/04/16/3

Upstream Patches:

https://git.openssl.org/gitweb/?p=openssl.git;a=commitdiff;h=349a41da1ad88ad87825414752a8ff5fdd6a6c3f https://git.openssl.org/gitweb/?p=openssl.git;a=commitdiff;h=6939eab03a6e23d2bd2c3f5e34fe1d48e542e787

Red Hat

OpenSSL could allow a local attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by a cache-timing side channel attack in the RSA Key generation algorithm. An attacker with access to mount cache timing attacks during the RSA key generation process could exploit this vulnerability to recover the private key and obtain sensitive information.

IBM

The OpenSSL RSA Key generation algorithm has been shown to be vulnerable to a cache timing side channel attack. An attacker with sufficient access to mount cache timing attacks during the RSA key generation process could recover the private key. Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.0i-dev (Affected 1.1.0-1.1.0h). Fixed in OpenSSL 1.0.2p-dev (Affected 1.0.2b-1.0.2o).

Launchpad

Affected Software

9 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/openssl<1.1.0
1.1.0
redhat/openssl<1.0.2
1.0.2
OpenSSL OpenSSL>=1.0.2b<=1.0.2o
OpenSSL OpenSSL>=1.1.0<=1.1.0h
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=17.10
IBM Security Verify Governance<=10.0
debian/openssl
1.1.1w-0+deb11u11.1.1w-0+deb11u53.0.18-1~deb12u13.0.18-1~deb12u23.5.4-1~deb13u13.5.4-1~deb13u23.5.5-1

Event History

Apr 16, 2018
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:00 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Apr 17, 2018
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:08 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Feb 19, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·07:35 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·07:36 PM
Description
Feb 24, 2026
Data Sourced
via Debian·07:39 PM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the vulnerability ID for this OpenSSL vulnerability?

The vulnerability ID for this OpenSSL vulnerability is CVE-2018-0737.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2018-0737?

CVE-2018-0737 has a severity of medium (5.9).

3

What is the affected software for CVE-2018-0737?

The affected software for CVE-2018-0737 includes OpenSSL versions 1.1.0-1.1.0h and 1.0.2b-1.0.2o.

4

How can I fix the CVE-2018-0737 vulnerability in OpenSSL?

To fix the CVE-2018-0737 vulnerability in OpenSSL, upgrade to version 1.1.0i or later (for 1.1.0 branch) or 1.0.2p or later (for 1.0.2 branch).

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2018-0737?

You can find more information about CVE-2018-0737 in the OpenSSL security advisory (https://www.openssl.org/news/secadv/20180416.txt) and the OSS-Security mailing list (http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2018/04/16/3).

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