CVE-2023-40271
CVE-2023-40271 is a high-severity vulnerability in Trustedfirmware Trusted Firmware-m with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-697.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (24th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-697
- Affected product: Trustedfirmware Trusted Firmware-m
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
In Trusted Firmware-M through TF-Mv1.8.0, for platforms that integrate the CryptoCell accelerator, when the CryptoCell PSA Driver software Interface is selected, and the Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data Chacha20-Poly1305 algorithm is used, with the single-part verification function (defined during the build-time configuration phase) implemented with a dedicated function (i.e., not relying on usage of multipart functions), the buffer comparison during the verification of the authentication tag does not happen on the full 16 bytes but just on the first 4 bytes, thus leading to the possibility that unauthenticated payloads might be identified as authentic. This affects TF-Mv1.6.0, TF-Mv1.6.1, TF-Mv1.7.0, and TF-Mv1.8.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-40271?
- In Trusted Firmware-M through TF-Mv1.8.0, for platforms that integrate the CryptoCell accelerator, when the CryptoCell PSA Driver software Interface is selected, and the Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data Chacha20-Poly1305 algorithm is used, with the single-part verification function (defined during the build-time configuration phase) implemented with a dedicated function (i.e., not relying on usage of multipart functions), the buffer comparison during the verification of the authentication tag does not happen on the full 16 bytes but just on the first 4 bytes, thus leading to the possibility that unauthenticated payloads might be identified as authentic. This affects TF-Mv1.6.0, TF-Mv1.6.1, TF-Mv1.7.0, and TF-Mv1.8.
- How severe is CVE-2023-40271?
- CVE-2023-40271 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2023-40271 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (24th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-40271?
- CVE-2023-40271 primarily affects Trustedfirmware Trusted Firmware-m. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-40271?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2023-40271 published?
- CVE-2023-40271 was published on 2023-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://git.trustedfirmware.org/TF-M/trusted-firmware-m.git/tree/docs/security/security_advisories/cc3xx_partial_tag_compare_on_chacha20_poly1305.rst
- https://tf-m-user-guide.trustedfirmware.org/releases/index.html
Affected products (4)
- cpe:2.3:o:trustedfirmware:trusted_firmware-m:1.6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:trustedfirmware:trusted_firmware-m:1.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:trustedfirmware:trusted_firmware-m:1.7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:trustedfirmware:trusted_firmware-m:1.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Trustedfirmware Trusted Firmware-m
- CVE-2021-43619 — High (CVSS 7.8): Trusted Firmware M 1.4.x through 1.4.1 has a buffer overflow issue in the Firmware Update partition. In the IPC model,…
- CVE-2021-32032 — High (CVSS 7.5): In Trusted Firmware-M through 1.3.0, cleaning up the memory allocated for a multi-part cryptographic operation (in the…
- CVE-2021-40327 — Medium (CVSS 5.9): Trusted Firmware-M (TF-M) 1.4.0, when Profile Small is used, has incorrect access control. NSPE can access a secure key…
- CVE-2021-27562 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): In Arm Trusted Firmware M through 1.2, the NS world may trigger a system halt, an overwrite of secure data, or the…
- CVE-2023-51712 — Medium (CVSS 4.7): An issue was discovered in Trusted Firmware-M through 2.0.0. The lack of argument verification in the logging subsystem…
All CVEs affecting Trustedfirmware Trusted Firmware-m →
Other CWE-697 vulnerabilities
- CVE-2025-54336 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In Plesk Obsidian 18.0.70, _isAdminPasswordValid uses an == comparison. Thus, if the correct password is "0e" followed…
- CVE-2024-24621 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Softaculous Webuzo contains an authentication bypass vulnerability through the password reset functionality. Remote,…
- CVE-2024-5217 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): ServiceNow has addressed an input validation vulnerability that was identified in the Washington DC, Vancouver, and…
- CVE-2023-32571 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Dynamic Linq 1.0.7.10 through 1.2.25 before 1.3.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code and commands when…
- CVE-2022-47034 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A type juggling vulnerability in the component /auth/fn.php of PlaySMS v1.4.5 and earlier allows attackers to bypass…
- CVE-2021-44971 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Multiple Tenda devices are affected by authentication bypass, such as AC15V1.0 Firmware V15.03.05.20_multi?AC5V1.0…