How severe is CVE-2018-12438?

CVE-2018-12438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2018-12438 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-12438?

CVE-2018-12438 affects Libsunec Project Libsunec. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-12438?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2018-12438 published?

CVE-2018-12438 was published on 2018-06-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-12438

CVE-2018-12438 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Libsunec Project Libsunec with a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-200.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 4.9)
CVSS v2: 1.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (37th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-200
Affected product: Libsunec Project Libsunec
Published: 2018-06-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Elliptic Curve Cryptography library (aka sunec or libsunec) allows a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures, aka the Return Of the Hidden Number Problem or ROHNP. To discover an ECDSA key, the attacker needs access to either the local machine or a different virtual machine on the same physical host.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-12438?: The Elliptic Curve Cryptography library (aka sunec or libsunec) allows a memory-cache side-channel attack on ECDSA signatures, aka the Return Of the Hidden Number Problem or ROHNP. To discover an ECDSA key, the attacker needs access to either the local machine or a different virtual machine on the same physical host.
How severe is CVE-2018-12438?: CVE-2018-12438 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 4.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over physical access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2018-12438 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (37th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-12438?: CVE-2018-12438 affects Libsunec Project Libsunec. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-12438?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2018-12438 published?: CVE-2018-12438 was published on 2018-06-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.nccgroup.trust/us/our-research/technical-advisory-return-of-the-hidden-number-problem/

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:libsunec_project:libsunec:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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