CVE-2023-1990 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was published on April 12, 2023, and is associated with Red Hat. It involves a use-after-free vulnerability found in the Linux Kernel, specifically in the ndlc_remove function in drivers/nfc/st-nci/ndlc.c. This flaw could potentially lead to system crashes due to a race condition.

Understanding CVE-2023-1990

This section dives deeper into the details of CVE-2023-1990, including its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-1990?

CVE-2023-1990 is a use-after-free vulnerability discovered in the Linux Kernel. It specifically resides in the ndlc_remove function in the ndlc.c file within the drivers/nfc/st-nci directory. Exploiting this flaw could allow an attacker to crash the system by triggering a race problem.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1990

The impact of CVE-2023-1990 is significant as it can lead to system crashes, potentially disrupting normal operations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause denial of service (DoS) attacks and compromise system stability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1990

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-1990, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-1990 stems from a use-after-free flaw in the ndlc_remove function of the Linux Kernel. This flaw arises due to improper handling of memory operations, leading to a situation where an attacker can exploit the system's memory allocation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the Linux Kernel versions prior to Kernel 6.3 RC3. Systems running these versions are susceptible to the exploitation of CVE-2023-1990, potentially resulting in system crashes.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-1990 by crafting and executing specific sequences of commands that trigger the use-after-free condition in the ndlc_remove function. This manipulation of memory allocation can lead to system instability and crashes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-1990 requires a proactive approach to security. Here are essential steps to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Patching: Apply security updates provided by Linux distributions to address the vulnerability in affected Kernel versions.
Monitoring: Keep an eye on any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation of the use-after-free flaw.
Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks targeting the vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular Updates: Maintain a regular schedule for system updates to ensure that security patches are applied promptly.
Security Training: Educate users and IT staff on best security practices to enhance overall awareness and response to potential threats.
Penetration Testing: Conduct regular penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Linux distribution providers, such as Red Hat and Debian, to promptly install patches and updates that address CVE-2023-1990. Regularly check for new patches and apply them to eliminate the risk posed by this vulnerability.