CVE-2026-14457

RPK Server Signature Algorithm Selection Can Dereference a Missing Certificate

View on CVE.org
Published Aug 25, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 1.2% KEV · Not listed
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.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical 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 RFC7250 Raw Public Keys (RPKs) without a matching certificate. The patch commits referenced in the CVE commit history address this issue, and upgrading to a release containing those commits 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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

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 16:12 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6465-1 openssl security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8678-1 OpenSSL vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:openssl:openssl:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

 threat_severity

Low
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Openssl
Openssl openssl
Vendors & Products Openssl
Openssl openssl
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'}
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
Earlier changes (1)
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
openssl
Published
Updated
Aug 25, 2026, 2:13 PM
Reserved
Jul 2, 2026, 8:37 AM

View source JSON

Updated
Aug 25, 2026, 2:13 PM

JSON

Status
Analyzed
Published
Aug 25, 2026, 1:17 PM
Modified
Sep 11, 2026, 9:14 PM

View source JSON

Severity
Low
Public date
Aug 25, 2026, 12:00 AM

View source Bugzilla JSON

Updated
Aug 25, 2026, 4:15 PM

JSON