CVE-2026-45446
Description
A flaw was found in OpenSSL. The implementations of AES-SIV (Advanced Encryption Standard - SIV) and AES-GCM-SIV (Advanced Encryption Standard - Galois/Counter Mode - SIV) incorrectly process authentication tags for empty messages. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to forge empty messages with arbitrary Additional Authenticated Data (AAD) in applications that utilize these specific cipher modes within custom protocols and do not properly handle zero-length ciphertexts. This could lead to unauthorized data manipulation.
Statement
This flaw is rated as Low impact. It affects applications that utilize OpenSSL's AES-SIV or AES-GCM-SIV modes within custom protocols and specifically mishandle empty ciphertexts. Standard OpenSSL protocols, such as TLS, are not affected. Successful exploitation requires an application to use the EVP interface and to skip ciphertext updates when processing zero-length ciphertexts, representing an uncommon and non-default configuration.
Mitigation
The vulnerability arises from specific application implementations using OpenSSL's AES-SIV or AES-GCM-SIV modes with custom protocols and an atypical handling of empty ciphertexts. As this scenario is not a default or commonly deployed configuration in Red Hat products, and no direct configuration or operational control exists to mitigate this specific flaw without patching, the following applies:
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 3.7 | N/A | 4.8 |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | Network |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | High |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | Low |
| Integrity Impact | Low | N/A | Low |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Access Control,Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Gain Privileges or Assume Identity; Modify Application Data; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
An attacker could gain access to sensitive data and possibly execute unauthorized code.
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