CVE-2024-26306 identifies a timing side-channel vulnerability in iPerf3 versions prior to 3.17 when deployed as a server using RSA authentication with OpenSSL versions before 3.2.0. The vulnerability arises from the way RSA decryption operations leak timing information, which can be measured by an attacker to infer plaintext credentials. This attack vector is based on the "Everlasting ROBOT: the Marvin Attack" research by Hubert Kario, which demonstrates how repeated decryption requests can reveal sensitive data through subtle timing differences. The vulnerability requires the attacker to send a large number of carefully crafted messages to the server to accumulate sufficient timing data for analysis. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.9 reflects a network-based attack with high complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction, impacting confidentiality but not integrity or availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-385 (Credential Management Errors), indicating improper protection of credential information. No patches are explicitly linked in the provided data, but upgrading to iPerf3 version 3.17 or later and OpenSSL 3.2.0 or later is the recommended remediation. The exploitability is limited by the need for high-volume message exchange and precise timing measurements, reducing the likelihood of widespread exploitation. However, successful exploitation could lead to credential disclosure, enabling unauthorized access to systems relying on these credentials. This vulnerability primarily affects environments where iPerf3 is used as a server with RSA authentication enabled and OpenSSL versions prior to 3.2.0 are in use.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-26306 is the potential compromise of plaintext credentials used in RSA authentication on iPerf3 servers. This can lead to unauthorized access to network performance testing infrastructure or other systems relying on these credentials, potentially exposing sensitive network data or enabling lateral movement within networks. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can have cascading effects, including exposure of internal network configurations or credentials reused elsewhere. Organizations in sectors with critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and network service providers are particularly at risk due to their reliance on network performance tools like iPerf3. The requirement for high-volume message exchanges and precise timing measurements may limit exploitation to targeted attacks rather than widespread automated campaigns. However, attackers with network access and sufficient resources could leverage this vulnerability to gain footholds in enterprise environments. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is significant, it is not trivial to exploit, but organizations should not underestimate the risk given the potential for credential theft.

To mitigate CVE-2024-26306, European organizations should: 1) Upgrade iPerf3 to version 3.17 or later, which addresses the vulnerability. 2) Upgrade OpenSSL to version 3.2.0 or later to eliminate the underlying timing side-channel in RSA decryption. 3) If immediate upgrades are not feasible, disable RSA authentication on iPerf3 servers or switch to alternative authentication mechanisms that do not rely on vulnerable RSA operations. 4) Monitor network traffic for unusual volumes of decryption requests to iPerf3 servers, which may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Implement network segmentation and restrict access to iPerf3 servers to trusted hosts only, reducing the attack surface. 6) Conduct regular credential audits and rotate credentials used in iPerf3 authentication to limit exposure duration. 7) Employ timing attack resistant cryptographic libraries or configurations where possible. 8) Educate network administrators about this vulnerability and ensure patch management processes prioritize affected components. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on specific software versions, configuration changes, and monitoring tailored to this vulnerability.