CVE-2023-0396 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Zephyr, relates to buffer overreads in Bluetooth Host Controller Interface (HCI), potentially caused by a malicious or defective Bluetooth controller. This vulnerability affects Zephyr RTOS versions up to and including v3.2.

Understanding CVE-2023-0396

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-0396, explaining its nature and impact.

What is CVE-2023-0396?

The CVE-2023-0396 vulnerability involves potential buffer overreads in functions processing HCI command responses due to issues in the Bluetooth controller. This flaw could be exploited by a malicious actor to compromise the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0396

The impact of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, or even remote code execution on systems running the affected versions of Zephyr RTOS. It poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0396

In this section, we look at the technical aspects of CVE-2023-0396, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability (CWE-126) arises from buffer overread issues in the Bluetooth HCI command response processing functions. An attacker could exploit this to read sensitive memory contents or trigger unexpected system behaviors.

Affected Systems and Versions

Zephyr RTOS versions up to v3.2, where the Bluetooth controller is involved, are susceptible to this vulnerability. Systems running these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending specially crafted Bluetooth commands, an attacker can trigger buffer overreads in the HCI command response processing functions. This could potentially allow them to access sensitive information or execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-0396 is crucial in maintaining system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using Zephyr RTOS v3.2 or below should apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly. It is essential to update the affected systems to a secure version to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices and regular security audits can help in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities like buffer overreads in Bluetooth HCI. Training developers on secure coding techniques specific to handling memory buffers is also essential.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring security advisories and updates from Zephyr Project RTOS is vital for staying informed about patches and fixes related to CVE-2023-0396. Timely patching of vulnerabilities is a fundamental practice in maintaining the security of software systems.