CVE-2026-63073: Untrusted Sender DN Used as Format String in CMP Response Validation
Issue summary: OpenSSL CMP response validation passed an unexpected response
sender distinguished name directly as the format string to `ERR_raise_data()`.
Impact summary: A malicious or intercepted CMP endpoint can crash a CMP client
that enforces an expected sender or uses a pinned server certificate whose
subject becomes the default expected sender.
CWE: CWE-134 (Use of Externally-Controlled Format String)
Description: When validating a received CMP message, ossl_cmp_msg_check_update()
converts the peer-supplied sender distinguished name with X509_NAME_oneline()
and passes it directly as the format argument to ERR_raise_data(). Percent
characters survive the conversion, so a sender DN such as "CN=%s%n" reaches
BIO_vsnprintf() as an attacker-controlled format string with no matching variadic
arguments. This path is only reached when the caller configures an expected
sender or pins a server certificate, which is the normal configuration for a
CMP client validating server responses.
Since the attacker controls the format string but none of the variadic
arguments, such specifiers as %s and %n dereference or write through unrelated
stack contents and crash the client. The reliable consequence is a denial of
service, when the response comes from a malicious or intercepted CMP endpoint.
There is no controlled memory write, arbitrary-address read, or reliable path
to remote code execution.
FIPS impact: no
No FIPS modules are affected by this issue, as the CMP protocol
implementation is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module boundary.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A malicious or intercepted certificate-management server can send a crafted response that crashes an affected OpenSSL CMP client. Exposure requires CMP use with an expected sender or pinned server certificate. The supplied evidence supports denial of service, not reliable data theft, tampering, or remote code execution.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent where CMP supports certificate enrollment or renewal, because repeated crashes could disrupt certificate operations without credentials or user interaction. Prioritize confirmed vulnerable CMP clients; broader OpenSSL deployments without CMP exposure do not warrant the same urgency.
Technical view
OpenSSL passes a peer-controlled sender distinguished name directly to ERR_raise_data() as a format string. Surviving percent specifiers can cause invalid reads or writes through unrelated stack values. The vulnerable validation path applies when CMP clients configure an expected sender or derive one from a pinned server certificate.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is limited to CMP clients using OpenSSL 4.0.0, 3.6.0, 3.5.0, or 3.4.0 with expected-sender validation or a pinned server certificate. Systems not using CMP, including OpenSSL FIPS modules, are not identified as affected.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is established: the source bundle states this CVE is not in KEV. Exploitation requires a malicious CMP endpoint or interception of CMP traffic, plus the relevant sender-validation configuration. The reliable outcome described is client denial of service; controlled memory access and remote code execution are unsupported.
Researcher notes
The supplied CVSS 9.8 vector claims high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, but the technical narrative explicitly limits the reliable consequence to denial of service. Researchers should preserve that distinction. The format string is attacker-controlled, but variadic arguments are not, preventing a supported claim of controlled writes, reads, or code execution.
Mitigation direction
Apply the corresponding fixed release or patch: 4.0.2, 3.6.4, 3.5.8, or 3.4.7.
Prioritize internet-facing or operationally critical systems that initiate CMP transactions.
Review vendor guidance before applying temporary configuration changes or compensating controls.
Restrict CMP connectivity to trusted endpoints and monitor for unexpected endpoint or certificate changes.
Validation and detection
Inventory OpenSSL versions on systems and applications that initiate CMP requests.
Confirm whether CMP clients configure an expected sender or pin a server certificate.
Verify deployed builds contain the applicable referenced OpenSSL patch commit.
Review CMP client crashes and error logs around response sender validation.
Confirm OpenSSL FIPS module usage is not mistakenly treated as exposure by itself.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-134: Exact CWE lookup
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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.
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.
1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
6Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: yesTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-134 · source CWE mapping
Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
Use of Externally-Controlled Format String represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.