In FreeRADIUS 3.0.x before 3.0.20, the EAP-pwd module used a global OpenSSL BN_CTX…
Priority LOW 37CWE-662Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
In FreeRADIUS 3.0.x before 3.0.20, the EAP-pwd module used a global OpenSSL BN_CTX instance to handle all handshakes. This mean multiple threads use the same BN_CTX instance concurrently, resulting in crashes when concurrent EAP-pwd handshakes are initiated. This can be abused by an adversary as a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.02222 82nd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 2 advisories
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 2
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:freeradius:freeradius:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.0.0 to before 3.0.20 | Vulnerable | freeradius |
| cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.1 | Vulnerable | openSUSE |
- cpe:2.3:a:freeradius:freeradius:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.0.0 to before 3.0.20 Vulnerable ·freeradius
- cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.1 Vulnerable ·openSUSE
Remediation
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2020:4799 Released 2020-11-04 · Red Hat rating Moderatefreeradius:3.0 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) freeradius-3.0.20-3.module+el8.3.0+7597+67902674.aarch64::freeradius:3.0, freeradius-3.0.20-3.module+el8.3.0+7597+67902674.ppc64le::freeradius:3.0, freeradius-3.0.20-3.module+el8.3.0+7597+67902674.s390x::freeradius:3.0 +47
- RHSA-2020:3984 Released 2020-09-29 · Red Hat rating Moderatefreeradius security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) freeradius-3.0.13-15.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) freeradius-devel-3.0.13-15.el7, freeradius-devel-3.0.13-15.el7.ppc, freeradius-doc-3.0.13-15.el7 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) freeradius-3.0.13-15.el7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) freeradius-devel-3.0.13-15.el7, freeradius-doc-3.0.13-15.el7, freeradius-krb5-3.0.13-15.el7 +8
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:4799 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3984 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3984 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3984 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3984 |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-17185
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-h63v-34h7-7q42
References
Sources
- CVE-2019-17185 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-17185 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-h63v-34h7-7q42 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2019-17185 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences