CVE-2021-23840
Integer overflow in CipherUpdate
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Description
Calls to EVP_CipherUpdate, EVP_EncryptUpdate and EVP_DecryptUpdate may overflow the output length argument in some cases where the input length is close to the maximum permissable length for an integer on the platform. In such cases the return value from the function call will be 1 (indicating success), but the output length value will be negative. This could cause applications to behave incorrectly or crash. OpenSSL versions 1.1.1i and below are affected by this issue. Users of these versions should upgrade to OpenSSL 1.1.1j. OpenSSL versions 1.0.2x and below are affected by this issue. However OpenSSL 1.0.2 is out of support and no longer receiving public updates. Premium support customers of OpenSSL 1.0.2 should upgrade to 1.0.2y. Other users should upgrade to 1.1.1j. Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1j (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1i). Fixed in OpenSSL 1.0.2y (Affected 1.0.2-1.0.2x).
Official description from the CVE record, published by openssl. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See /security/cve/legal for the CVE license. View the record on cve.org
Key data
CVSS 3.1 High 7.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Attack vector: Network
The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet.
Attack complexity: Low
No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will.
Privileges required: None
No account or privileges are needed.
User interaction: None
No action from any user is needed.
Scope: Unchanged
The impact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality impact: None
No effect on the secrecy of data.
Integrity impact: None
No effect on the trustworthiness of data.
Availability impact: High
Serious or total effect on availability.
| Metric | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. |
| Attack complexity | Low | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will. |
| Privileges required | None | No account or privileges are needed. |
| User interaction | None | No action from any user is needed. |
| Scope | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component. |
| Confidentiality impact | None | No effect on the secrecy of data. |
| Integrity impact | None | No effect on the trustworthiness of data. |
| Availability impact | High | Serious or total effect on availability. |
CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at first.org/cvss.
EPSS
- Score
- 0.50732 (50.7% probability)
- Percentile
- 98.9%
- Scores of
- Nov 10, 2026
- Model
- v2026.06.15
CISA assessment as of Apr 16, 2026
- Automatable
- yes
- Technical impact
- partial
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-190Integer Overflow or Wraparound
Affected products
OpenSSL
- affected: Fixed in OpenSSL 1.1.1j (Affected 1.1.1-1.1.1i)
- affected: Fixed in OpenSSL 1.0.2y (Affected 1.0.2-1.0.2x)
References
- openssl.org/news/secadv/20210216.txt
- git.openssl.org/gitweb/?p=openssl.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=6a…
- git.openssl.org/gitweb/?p=openssl.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=9b…
- DSA-4855 (debian.org)vendor-advisory
- GLSA-202103-03 (security.gentoo.org)vendor-advisory
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuApr2021.html
- tenable.com/security/tns-2021-10
- tenable.com/security/tns-2021-09
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210219-0009
- tenable.com/security/tns-2021-03
- [bookkeeper-issues] 20210628 [GitHub] [bookkeeper] padma81 opened a new issue #2746: Security Vulnerabilities in CentOS 7 image, Upgrade image to CentOS 8 (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- [bookkeeper-issues] 20210629 [GitHub] [bookkeeper] padma81 opened a new issue #2746: Security Vulnerabilities in CentOS 7 image, Upgrade image to CentOS 8 (lists.apache.org)mailing-list
- oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html
- kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA448…
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html
- kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10366
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
- oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-389290.pdf
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240621-0006
Timeline
- ID reserved
- Record published
- Record last updated
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About CubePath
Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:52 UTC. Sources and licenses