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CVE-2003-0078

MEDIUM
5.0NVD

Summary

generated automatically from NVD data

The ssl3_get_record function in s3_pkt.c of OpenSSL (versions before 0.9.7a, and 0.9.6 versions before 0.9.6i) skips the MAC computation when block cipher padding is incorrect. This creates a timing discrepancy that leaks information, making it easier to distinguish padding errors from MAC verification errors. Attackers could exploit this, known as the "Vaudenay timing attack," to possibly extract the original plaintext. NVD rates it 5.0 (MEDIUM, CVSS v2.0), and FreeBSD and OpenBSD are also listed as affected.

NVD description

ssl3_get_record in s3_pkt.c for OpenSSL before 0.9.7a and 0.9.6 before 0.9.6i does not perform a MAC computation if an incorrect block cipher padding is used, which causes an information leak (timing discrepancy) that may make it easier to launch cryptographic attacks that rely on distinguishing between padding and MAC verification errors, possibly leading to extraction of the original plaintext, aka the "Vaudenay timing attack."

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EPSS · FIRST.org

13.7%probability of exploitation in the next 30 days

Higher than 96% of scored CVEs

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) estimates, from observed exploitation activity, how likely a CVE is to be exploited in the next 30 days. It complements CVSS, which measures severity, not likelihood. Score of 2026-11-02, recomputed daily by FIRST.org.

CVSS v2.0 Score

5.0
/ 10.0
MEDIUM
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

Information

Published
3 mars 2003
Updated
16 juin 2026
Status
Modified
Source
cve@mitre.org

Affected products

openssl opensslAll OpenSSL CVEs →
Versions < 0.9.6i · 0.9.6i · 0.9.7
freebsd freebsd
Versions 4.2 · 4.3 · 4.4 · 4.5 · 4.6
openbsd openbsd
Versions 3.1 · 3.2

Bounds published by NVD: "< 8.4.27" means 8.4.27 is no longer vulnerable. The fixed release to install is in the vendor advisory.

Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE-203

Similar CVEs

Other vulnerabilities of type CWE-203

…

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