CVE-2025-9231 Timing side-channel in SM2 algorithm on 64 bit ARM
A timing side-channel in OpenSSL's SM2 implementation on 64-bit ARM may allow attackers to recover private keys via remote timing measurements.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-9231?
CVE-2025-9231 is a medium-severity vulnerability in OpenSSL, published on 30 Sep 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Issue summary: A timing side-channel which could potentially allow remote recovery of the private key exists in the SM2 algorithm implementation on 64 bit ARM platforms.
Impact summary: A timing side-channel in SM2 signature computations on 64 bit ARM platforms could allow recovering the private key by an attacker..
While remote key recovery over a network was not attempted by the reporter, timing measurements revealed a timing signal which may allow such an attack.
OpenSSL does not directly support certificates with SM2 keys in TLS, and so this CVE is not relevant in most TLS contexts. However, given that it is possible to add support for such certificates via a custom provider, coupled with the fact that in such a custom provider context the private key may be recoverable via remote timing measurements, we consider this to be a Moderate severity issue.
The FIPS modules in 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1 and 3.0 are not affected by this issue, as SM2 is not an approved algorithm.
Weakness: CWE-385
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-9231?
How do I fix CVE-2025-9231?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-9231 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-9231 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2025-9231, BELL-CVE-2025-9231, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-9231, ECHO-2b7e-78d4-c817, GHSA-9mrx-mqmg-gwj9, JLSEC-2026-267 and 3 more.