GnuPG: OpenPGP protocol attack

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200503-29 / GnuPG
Release Date	March 24, 2005
Latest Revision	March 24, 2005: 01
Impact	low
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
app-crypt/gnupg	< 1.4.1	>= 1.4.1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #85547

Synopsis

Automated systems using GnuPG may leak plaintext portions of an encrypted message.

2. Impact Information

Background

GnuPG is complete and free replacement for PGP, a tool for secure communication and data storage.

Description

A flaw has been identified in an integrity checking mechanism of the OpenPGP protocol.

Impact

An automated system using GnuPG that allows an attacker to repeatedly discover the outcome of an integrity check (perhaps by observing the time required to return a response, or via overly verbose error messages) could theoretically reveal a small portion of plaintext.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All GnuPG users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-crypt/gnupg-1.4.1"

4. References

Page updated March 24, 2005

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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