CVE-2026-15041: Observable Timing Discrepancy in Red Hat Red Hat Directory Server 11
A flaw was found in 389 Directory Server. The PBKDF2-SHA256 password verification function uses standard memcmp() for comparing password hashes instead of a constant-time comparison function. A remote attacker could potentially use timing measurements of LDAP bind attempts to infer partial hash information, though practical exploitation is extremely difficult due to PBKDF2 computational overhead.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability in Red Hat Directory Server 11 involves the use of a non-constant-time comparison function (memcmp()) for verifying PBKDF2-SHA256 password hashes. This creates a timing side channel that could potentially leak partial hash information to a remote attacker measuring LDAP bind response times. Despite this theoretical risk, the high computational cost of PBKDF2 makes practical exploitation unlikely. No official remediation level or patch has been indicated in the vendor advisory as of the published date.
Potential Impact
The impact is limited to potential partial disclosure of password hash information via timing side-channel analysis during LDAP bind attempts. There is no indication of direct compromise, privilege escalation, or denial of service. The CVSS score of 3.7 reflects a low severity with low confidentiality impact and no integrity or availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-15041 for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround is currently documented. Due to the difficulty of practical exploitation, immediate urgent action is not indicated.
CVE-2026-15041: Observable Timing Discrepancy in Red Hat Red Hat Directory Server 11
Description
A flaw was found in 389 Directory Server. The PBKDF2-SHA256 password verification function uses standard memcmp() for comparing password hashes instead of a constant-time comparison function. A remote attacker could potentially use timing measurements of LDAP bind attempts to infer partial hash information, though practical exploitation is extremely difficult due to PBKDF2 computational overhead.
CVSS v3.1
Score 3.7low
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in Red Hat Directory Server 11 involves the use of a non-constant-time comparison function (memcmp()) for verifying PBKDF2-SHA256 password hashes. This creates a timing side channel that could potentially leak partial hash information to a remote attacker measuring LDAP bind response times. Despite this theoretical risk, the high computational cost of PBKDF2 makes practical exploitation unlikely. No official remediation level or patch has been indicated in the vendor advisory as of the published date.
Potential Impact
The impact is limited to potential partial disclosure of password hash information via timing side-channel analysis during LDAP bind attempts. There is no indication of direct compromise, privilege escalation, or denial of service. The CVSS score of 3.7 reflects a low severity with low confidentiality impact and no integrity or availability impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the Red Hat advisory at https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-15041 for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround is currently documented. Due to the difficulty of practical exploitation, immediate urgent action is not indicated.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-08T10:00:02.126Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-15041","vendor":"Red Hat"}]
Threat ID: 6a4e2d7bc9d9e3dbe3f4a9a1
Added to database: 07/08/2026, 10:59:07 UTC
Last enriched: 07/15/2026, 12:13:11 UTC
Last updated: 08/22/2026, 10:52:07 UTC
Views: 74
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