Beware Poodle Bug!

Uploaded on 2014-10-20 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, FREE TO VIEW

Three Google researchers have uncovered a security bug in widely used web encryption technology that they say could allow hackers to take over accounts for email, banking and other services in what they have dubbed a "Poodle" attack.

The discovery of "Poodle," which stands for Padding Oracle On Downloaded Legacy Encryption, prompted makers of web browsers and server software to advise users on Tuesday to disable use of the source of the security bug: an 18-year old encryption standard known as SSL 3.0.
It was the third time this year that researchers have uncovered a vulnerability in widely used web technology, following April's "Heartbleed" bug in OpenSSL and last month's "Shellshock" bug in a piece of Unix software known as Bash.

It is the third time this year that researchers have uncovered a "Heartbleed" bug and last month's "Shellshock" bug.

Security experts said that hackers could steal browser "cookies" in "Poodle" attacks, potentially taking control of email, banking and social networking accounts. Even so, experts said the threat was not as serious as the two prior bugs.

"If Shellshock and Heartbleed were Threat Level 10, then Poodle is more like a 5 or a 6," said Tal Klein, vice president with cloud security firm Adallom.

The threat was disclosed in a research paper published on the website of the OpenSSL Project, which develops the most widely used type of SSL encryption software.

Rumors of a bug in SSL software had been circulating in recent days, prompting some security professionals to prepare for a major new threat this week.

Ivan Ristic, director of application security research with Qualys, said "Poodle" was not as serious as the previous threats because the attack was "quite complicated," requiring hackers to have privileged access to networks.

Jeff Moss, a cyber adviser to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said attackers would need to launch a "man-in-the-middle" attack, placing themselves between victims and websites using approaches such as creating rogue WiFi "hotspots" in Internet cafes.

Google suggested a technical workaround to secure web servers, but added on its blog that it hopes to eventually remove support for SSL 3.0 from all client software.

Mozilla plans to disable SSL 3.0 by default in the next version of its Firefox browser, to be released on Nov. 25. (mzl.la/1DaxOwY).

"SSL version 3.0 is no longer secure," Mozilla said on its blog. "Browsers and websites need to turn off SSLv3 and use more modern security protocols as soon as possible."

Microsoft Corp issued an advisory suggesting that customers disable SSL 3.0 on Windows for servers and PCs.

Representatives with Apple Inc could not be reached. An Oracle Corp spokeswoman had no immediate comment. Matthew Green, an assistant research professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University said that disabling SSL 3.0 can be difficult for some computer users.
"It's not going to take out the infrastructure of the Internet. But it's going to be a hassle to fix," Green said.

« Two weeks to save your computer from major cyber attack
Newsletters »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

This year, Infosecurity Europe marks 30 years of bringing the global cybersecurity community together to further our joint mission of Building a Safer Cyber World.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Varonis

Varonis

Varonis provide a security software platform to let organizations track, visualize, analyze and protect their unstructured data.

Cysec Resource Co (CRC)

Cysec Resource Co (CRC)

We offer expertise in information and cyber security, sourcing individuals and teams who provide information security expertise to the public and private sector.

Actiphy

Actiphy

Actiphy provides a tried and proven backup and disaster recovery software solution to ensure business continuity at all times.

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

NERC is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the reliability and security of the bulk power system in North America.

Privacy Analytics

Privacy Analytics

Privacy Analytics enables healthcare organizations to unleash the value of sensitive data for secondary purposes without compromising personal health information.

Nouveau

Nouveau

Nouveau Solutions is a specialist IT managed services company with a strategic focus on delivering cloud, infrastructure, compliance, network and security solutions.

Proficio

Proficio

Proficio is a world-class Managed Security Service Provider providing managed detection and response solutions, 24×7 security monitoring and advanced data breach prevention services worldwide.

Cybertron

Cybertron

Cybertron services include real-time monitoring and incident response and a cyber range for competency development.

Council to Secure the Digital Economy (CSDE)

Council to Secure the Digital Economy (CSDE)

CSDE brings together companies from across the ICT sector to combat increasingly sophisticated and emerging cyber threats through collaborative actions.

Injazat

Injazat

Injazat Data Systems is an industry recognized market leader in the Gulf region for Information Technology, Data Center and Managed Services.

Globant

Globant

Globant is an It and software development company. We leverage the latest technologies and methodologies to help organizations transform in every aspect, including software security.

Infostream

Infostream

Infostream is a leading integrator of Digital Transformations Solutions (DTS); Public, Private, and Hybrid Cloud; Cybersecurity; Data Integrity; DevOps, DevSecOps, and Infrastructures.

SOC Prime

SOC Prime

SOC Prime is the only Threat Detection Marketplace where researchers monetize their content to help security teams defend against attacks easier, faster and more efficiently than ever.

BluSapphire

BluSapphire

BluSapphire is an industry-first, purpose-built, cloud-native, Hybrid XDR platform powered by AI and big data analytics.

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech)

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech)

WaTech operates the state’s core technology infrastructure – the central network and data center, provides strategic direction for cybersecurity and protects state networks from growing cyber threats.

DATS Project

DATS Project

DATS Project enables the utilization of high computing power across a number of cybersecurity services, all on a pay-as-you-go basis, eliminating the need for upfront investment costs.