CVE-2023-1194 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record details a vulnerability categorized as a "Use-after-free in parse_lease_state()" affecting certain versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora.

Understanding CVE-2023-1194

This section provides insights into the nature of CVE-2023-1194, the impact it poses, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-1194?

CVE-2023-1194 is an out-of-bounds memory read flaw discovered in parse_lease_state within the KSMBD implementation of the in-kernel Samba server and CIFS in the Linux kernel. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the missing check of

NameOffset

in the

parse_lease_state()

function, leading to unauthorized access to memory.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1194

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high due to its potential to cause availability impact, allowing attackers to read out-of-bounds memory. Exploitation of this flaw could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information or even system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1194

In this section, we delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability originates from an out-of-bounds memory read flaw in the parse_lease_state function within the KSMBD implementation of the Samba server and CIFS in the Linux kernel. Attackers can manipulate the CREATE command to access invalid memory via the create_context object.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects various versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (6, 7, 8, 9) and Fedora. Specific package names and affected status vary across these systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-1194, attackers send a CREATE command with a malformed payload to KSMBD, taking advantage of the missing check of

NameOffset

in the

parse_lease_state()

function to access invalid memory.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply relevant security patches provided by Red Hat to address CVE-2023-1194 promptly.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploit attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address potential security risks.
Educate system administrators and users about secure coding practices and common attack vectors.

Patching and Updates

Red Hat has released patches for the affected versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora to address the CVE-2023-1194 vulnerability. It is crucial for organizations to apply these patches as soon as possible to secure their systems against potential exploitation.