Description
Issue summary: In a server or client configuration with RFC7250 Raw Public Keys (RPKs)
enabled, and only the private key (with no associated certificate) configured locally,
a NULL pointer dereference may occur when the remote peer solicits raw public keys and
also sends the typically omitted "signature_algorithms_cert" TLS extension.

Impact summary: The impact is limited to a possible Denial of Service as a result of
an application abort, no data disclosure or remote command execution are possible.

CWE: CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference

Description: While a passing comment in sample code in the documentation suggests
that key-only RPK configurations are supported, the best-practice RPK configuration
is to always configure a corresponding certificate (possibly self-signed or
signed by any convenient CA).

When the private key is configured along with a matching certificate, the
"signature_algorithms_cert" extension is handled reliably even without the
fix, and peer clients or servers that don't support raw public keys may be
able to complete a TLS connection by pinning or verifying the corresponding
certificate or its public key.

Deployments that prefer to configure just a private key with no certificate
need to upgrade to an updated release as noted below.

FIPS impact: no

No FIPS modules are affected by this issue, as the SSL protocol implementation
is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module boundary.
Published: 2026-08-25
Score: 7.5 High
EPSS: n/a
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A server or client that enables RFC7250 Raw Public Keys (RPKs) while only configuring a private key and no certificate can trigger a NULL pointer dereference when the peer introduces the "signature_algorithms_cert" TLS extension. The crash aborts the application, resulting in a denial of service, but does not expose data or allow code execution.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects the OpenSSL library in any build that supports RPKs without a matching certificate. Versions prior to the patch commits (e.g., 3.0.x and earlier) are susceptible; upgrading to the latest release is required to remediate.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score is 7.5, and EPSS is not available, so the exploitation likelihood cannot be quantified. The vulnerability has not been reported in CISA’s KEV database. Attackers would need to initiate a TLS handshake on a system configured for RPK-only operation; the exploit path is straightforward because the crash occurs directly during the processing of the missing certificate. The impact is limited to service interruption and does not allow data disclosure or remote command execution.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 25, 2026 at 15:26 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update OpenSSL to the latest release containing the fix for the RPK NULL pointer dereference.
  • If a raw public key configuration is required, configure a matching certificate (self‑signed or CA‑signed) to satisfy the "signature_algorithms_cert" extension.
  • If no certificate can be provided, disable RFC7250 RPK support for the affected server or client to prevent the crash.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 25, 2026 at 15:26 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openssl
Openssl openssl
Vendors & Products Openssl
Openssl openssl

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Issue summary: In a server or client configuration with RFC7250 Raw Public Keys (RPKs) enabled, and only the private key (with no associated certificate) configured locally, a NULL pointer dereference may occur when the remote peer solicits raw public keys and also sends the typically omitted "signature_algorithms_cert" TLS extension. Impact summary: The impact is limited to a possible Denial of Service as a result of an application abort, no data disclosure or remote command execution are possible. CWE: CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference Description: While a passing comment in sample code in the documentation suggests that key-only RPK configurations are supported, the best-practice RPK configuration is to always configure a corresponding certificate (possibly self-signed or signed by any convenient CA). When the private key is configured along with a matching certificate, the "signature_algorithms_cert" extension is handled reliably even without the fix, and peer clients or servers that don't support raw public keys may be able to complete a TLS connection by pinning or verifying the corresponding certificate or its public key. Deployments that prefer to configure just a private key with no certificate need to upgrade to an updated release as noted below. FIPS impact: no No FIPS modules are affected by this issue, as the SSL protocol implementation is outside the OpenSSL FIPS module boundary.
Title RPK Server Signature Algorithm Selection Can Dereference a Missing Certificate
Weaknesses CWE-476
References

Subscriptions

Openssl Openssl
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: openssl

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-25T14:13:27.811Z

Reserved: 2026-07-02T08:37:07.046Z

Link: CVE-2026-14457

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-25T14:13:22.661Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-25T13:17:49.533

Modified: 2026-08-25T14:16:49.727

Link: CVE-2026-14457

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-25T15:30:05Z

Weaknesses