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CVE Record

CVE-2015-8036: Heap-based buffer overflow in ARM mbed TLS (formerly PolarSSL) 1.3.x before 1.3.14 and 2.x before 2.1.2 all...

Heap-based buffer overflow in ARM mbed TLS (formerly PolarSSL) 1.3.x before 1.3.14 and 2.x before 2.1.2 allows remote SSL servers to cause a denial of service (client crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long session ticket name to the session ticket extension, which is not properly handled when creating a ClientHello message to resume a session. NOTE: this identifier was SPLIT from CVE-2015-5291 per ADT3 due to different affected version ranges.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's Takeunknown

Analyst readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A malicious or compromised TLS server could crash clients using affected ARM mbed TLS/PolarSSL versions. The CVE also notes possible arbitrary code execution, but the provided sources do not include CVSS, exploitation evidence, or practical impact details.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted remediation item for products or systems using old mbed TLS clients. Urgency rises for internet-facing client workflows, embedded devices, or unsupported software where patching may be slow.

Technical view

The flaw is a heap-based buffer overflow in mbed TLS/PolarSSL session resumption handling. A long session ticket name in the session ticket extension is mishandled while building a ClientHello, affecting 1.3.x before 1.3.14 and 2.x before 2.1.2.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in client applications, appliances, firmware, or packaged software embedding affected mbed TLS/PolarSSL versions and connecting to TLS servers, especially where session resumption is used.

Exploitation context

The bundle says KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The described attacker position is a remote SSL server able to influence a client resuming a session.

Researcher notes

The CVE was split from CVE-2015-5291 due to different affected version ranges. The supplied data lacks CVSS, CWE mapping, and exploit maturity details, so conclusions should stay tied to version exposure and vendor advisories.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade mbed TLS/PolarSSL to 1.3.14, 2.1.2, or a later supported release.
  • Apply relevant Debian, Fedora, or openSUSE security updates for packaged deployments.
  • Inventory applications and firmware that statically bundle mbed TLS or PolarSSL.
  • Check third-party vendor guidance where the library is embedded in products.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm deployed versions are not 1.3.x before 1.3.14 or 2.x before 2.1.2.
  • Review SBOMs, build manifests, and package inventories for mbed TLS or PolarSSL.
  • Prioritize client components that connect to external or untrusted TLS servers.
  • Verify patched distro packages align with the referenced vendor advisories.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2015-8036 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.