libp2p nodes vulnerable to attack using large RSA keys
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-770.
Summary
go-libp2p is the Go implementation of the libp2p Networking Stack. Prior to versions 0.27.8, 0.28.2, and 0.29.1 malicious peer can use large RSA keys to run a resource exhaustion attack & force a node to spend time doing signature verification of the large key. This vulnerability is present in the core/crypto module of go-libp2p and can occur during the Noise handshake and the libp2p x509 extension verification step. To prevent this attack, go-libp2p versions 0.27.8, 0.28.2, and 0.29.1 restrict RSA keys to <= 8192 bits. To protect one's application, it is necessary to update to these patch releases and to use the updated Go compiler in 1.20.7 or 1.19.12. There are no known workarounds for this issue.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| libp2p | go-libp2p | before 0.27.8; 0.28.0 to before 0.28.2; = 0.29.0 | 0.27.8, 0.28.2 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) | before 0.27.8 | 0.27.8 | Patch available | GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg |
| — | github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) | 0.28.0 to before 0.28.2 | 0.28.2 | Patch available | GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg |
| — | github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) | 0.29.0 to before 0.29.1 | 0.29.1 | Patch available | GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg |
- go-libp2p Vendorlibp2p Affected before 0.27.8; 0.28.0 to before 0.28.2; = 0.29.0 Fixed in 0.27.8, 0.28.2 Patch available CNA
- github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) Vendor— Affected before 0.27.8 Fixed in 0.27.8 Patch available GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg
- github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) Vendor— Affected 0.28.0 to before 0.28.2 Fixed in 0.28.2 Patch available GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg
- github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) Vendor— Affected 0.29.0 to before 0.29.1 Fixed in 0.29.1 Patch available GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg
Remediation
- Fix · CNA go-libp2p (libp2p) Fixed in 0.27.8, 0.28.2
- Fix · GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) Fixed in 0.27.8 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) Fixed in 0.28.2 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p (Go) Fixed in 0.29.1 Advisory →
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-39533
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg
References
Patch 6
- https://github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p/security/advisories/GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg
- https://github.com/quic-go/quic-go/pull/4012
- https://github.com/golang/go/commit/2350afd2e8ab054390e284c95d5b089c142db017
- https://github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p/commit/0cce607219f3710addc7e18672cffd1f1d912fbb
- https://github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p/commit/445be526aea4ee0b1fa5388aa65d32b2816d3a00
- https://github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p/commit/e30fcf7dfd4715ed89a5e68d7a4f774d3b9aa92d
Sources
- CVE-2023-39533 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-39533 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-876p-8259-xjgg · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2023-39533 · 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