The Heartbleed Bug is a severe vulnerability in the popular OpenSSL cryptographic software library. This weakness allows for the theft of information protected under normal conditions by the SSL/TLS encryption used to secure the Internet. SSL/TLS provides communication security and privacy over the Internet for applications such as the web, email, instant messaging (IM), and virtual private networks (VPNs).
The Heartbleed bug allows anyone on the Internet to read the systems' memory protected by the vulnerable versions of the OpenSSL software. This compromises the secret keys used to identify the service providers and encrypt the traffic, the names and passwords of the users, and the actual content. Attackers can eavesdrop on communications, steal data directly from the services and users, and impersonate services and users.
How to stop the leak?
If the vulnerable version of OpenSSL is in use, it can be abused. Fixed OpenSSL has been released and has to be deployed. Operating system and distribution, appliance vendors, and independent software vendors must adopt the fix and notify their users. Service providers and users must install the fix as it becomes available for the operating systems, networked appliances, and software they use.
The Heartbleed bug allows anyone on the Internet to read the systems' memory protected by the vulnerable versions of the OpenSSL software. This compromises the secret keys used to identify the service providers and encrypt the traffic, the names and passwords of the users, and the actual content. Attackers can eavesdrop on communications, steal data directly from the services and users, and impersonate services and users.
How to stop the leak?
If the vulnerable version of OpenSSL is in use, it can be abused. Fixed OpenSSL has been released and has to be deployed. Operating system and distribution, appliance vendors, and independent software vendors must adopt the fix and notify their users. Service providers and users must install the fix as it becomes available for the operating systems, networked appliances, and software they use.
