CVE-2022-3409 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in bmcweb of OpenBMC Project allows a user to cause denial of service. This vulnerability was identified during mitigation for CVE-2022-2809. Exploiting the vulnerability involves fuzzing the multipart_parser code to cause memory corruptions, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Understanding CVE-2022-3409

This CVE refers to an unauthenticated out of bounds stack write in bmcweb of the OpenBMC Project, impacting the OpenBMC software.

What is CVE-2022-3409?

CVE-2022-3409 is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition in the bmcweb component of the OpenBMC Project. By exploiting this flaw, an unauthorized user can disrupt the normal operation of the affected software, potentially leading to service unavailability.

The Impact of CVE-2022-3409

The impact of CVE-2022-3409 includes the ability for a malicious actor to execute a DoS attack against OpenBMC installations. By sending crafted HTTP headers, an attacker can trigger memory corruptions that result in a service outage, affecting the availability of the platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-3409

The vulnerability is primarily characterized by a stack-based buffer overflow in the multipart parser code of bmcweb. This allows an attacker to overwrite heap memory, leading to a DoS condition.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw originates from how the multipart parser in bmcweb handles unclosed HTTP headers. By passing long HTTP headers without a colon in the multipart form, an attacker can trigger memory corruptions, causing a one-byte overwrite on the heap.

Affected Systems and Versions

The OpenBMC Project's OpenBMC software version 2.10 is affected by CVE-2022-3409. Versions prior to 2.13 are vulnerable, while version 2.13 and above are considered unaffected.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests containing long headers without colons. By iteratively triggering the memory corruption in a loop, the attacker can disrupt the normal functioning of bmcweb.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-3409, immediate steps should be taken to secure OpenBMC installations and prevent potential DoS attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the provided patch from the OpenBMC Project to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs and network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate an exploit attempt.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the OpenBMC software to the latest version to incorporate security fixes and enhancements.
Conduct periodic security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the official patch provided by the OpenBMC Project to address the CVE-2022-3409 vulnerability and ensure the security of the bmcweb component.