# 16.1. CVE-2010-0009: Apache CouchDB Timing Attack Vulnerability

Date: | 31.03.2010
Affected: | Apache CouchDB 0.8.0 to 0.10.1
Severity: | Important
Vendor: | The Apache Software Foundation

## 16.1.1. Description

Apache CouchDB versions prior to version 0.11.0 are vulnerable to timing attacks, also known as side-channel information leakage, due to using simple break-on-inequality string comparisons when verifying hashes and passwords.

## 16.1.2. Mitigation

All users should upgrade to CouchDB 0.11.0. Upgrades from the 0.10.x series should be seamless. Users on earlier versions should consult with upgrade notes.

## 16.1.3. Example

A canonical description of the attack can be found in http://codahale.com/a-lesson-in-timing-attacks/

## 16.1.4. Credit

This issue was discovered by Jason Davies of the Apache CouchDB development team.