CVE-2026-55953

What it is

The Erlang/OTP ssl TLS 1.2 (and earlier) and DTLS client does not verify that the cipher suite selected by the server in ServerHello was among the suites offered by the client in ClientHello. The client-side tls_handshake:hello/5 handler validates the negotiated protocol version and the downgrade sentinel but hands the server-chosen suite directly to ssl_handshake:handle_server_hello_extensions/9, which installs it without a membership check. The TLS 1.3 client path performs this check (per RFC 8446), so it is not affected. An on-path attacker between the client and the intended server can respond with a ServerHello selecting an anonymous key exchange suite such as TLS_DH_anon_* or TLS_ECDH_anon_* that the client never offered. Anonymous suites do not require the server to present a certificate, so the entire verify_peer and cacerts configuration is bypassed: the attacker completes the handshake with its own ephemeral parameters, no certificate is validated, no hostname is checked, and ssl:connect returns {ok, Socket}. All subsequent application traffic is readable and modifiable by the attacker. This issue affects OTP from OTP 17.0 before OTP 27.3.4.15, from OTP 28.0 before OTP 28.5.0.4, and from OTP 29.0 before OTP 29.0.4, corresponding to ssl from 5.3.4 before 11.2.12.11, from 11.3 before 11.6.0.4, and from 11.7 before 11.7.4. Whether OTP before OTP 17.0, corresponding to ssl before 5.3.4, is affected is unknown.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-07-27 16:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-24 13:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 9.1 CRITICAL (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-07-27 16:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-24 13:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-757

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Erlang erlang\/otp < 27.3.4.15
• Erlang erlang\/otp < 28.5.0.4
• Erlang erlang\/otp < 29.0.4
• Erlang erlang\/ssl < 11.2.12.11
• Erlang erlang\/ssl < 11.6.0.4
• Erlang erlang\/ssl < 11.7.4

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 9.1

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

Present

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-55953.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-55953. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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