Vulnerability Description
Crypto++ (aka cryptopp) through 5.6.4 does not document the requirement for a compile-time NDEBUG definition disabling the many assert calls that are unintended in production use, which might allow context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging access to process memory after an assertion failure, as demonstrated by reading a core dump.
CVSS Score
MEDIUM
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptopp | Crypto\+\+ | <= 5.6.4 |
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/15/12Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/16/1Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/4
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92988
- https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/commit/553049ba297d89d9e8fbf2204acb40a8a53fIssue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
- https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/issues/277Issue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/15/12Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/16/1Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/09/28/4
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/11/14/5
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92988
- https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/commit/553049ba297d89d9e8fbf2204acb40a8a53fIssue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
- https://github.com/weidai11/cryptopp/issues/277Issue TrackingPatchThird Party Advisory
FAQ
What is CVE-2016-7420?
CVE-2016-7420 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.9 (MEDIUM). Crypto++ (aka cryptopp) through 5.6.4 does not document the requirement for a compile-time NDEBUG definition disabling the many assert calls that are unintended in production use, which might allow co...
How severe is CVE-2016-7420?
CVE-2016-7420 has been rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 5.9/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2016-7420?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: Cryptopp Crypto\+\+.