Root Causes: A PKI and Security Podcast

Root Causes: A PKI and Security Podcast


Root Causes 106: Massive Intermediate Certificate Distrust Is on the Way

July 13, 2020

A recently identified and widespread configuration error has created a situation where, with the wrong attack on certain public roots, certificates could become essentially unrevokable. As a consequence, 14 public CAs will have to revoke their OCSP certificates, many of which are also intermediates, and permanently discontinue use of their keys. That leaves millions of active TLS, S/MIME, code signing, and document signing certificates in need of immediate replacement or they will be distrusted. Join our hosts as they explain what the problem is and what messy cleanup will be required to address these problems.