CVE-2023-21406 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-21406 was published on July 25, 2023, and was discovered by Ariel Harush and Roy Hodir from OTORIO. The vulnerability affects the AXIS A1001 Network Door Controller by Axis Communications AB, specifically in the OSDP communication process.

Understanding CVE-2023-21406

This vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the pacsiod process of the AXIS A1001 when communicating over OSDP. Attackers can exploit this flaw by appending invalid data to an OSDP message, allowing them to write beyond the allocated buffer and potentially execute arbitrary code.

What is CVE-2023-21406?

CVE-2023-21406 is a high-severity vulnerability found in the OSDP communication of the AXIS A1001 Network Door Controller. It poses a significant risk to the integrity and availability of the affected system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21406

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high severity with a CVSS base score of 7.1. It can lead to a heap-based buffer overflow, potentially enabling threat actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected device without requiring any special privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21406

This section provides a closer look at the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism involved.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the pacsiod process of the AXIS A1001 Network Door Controller during OSDP communication. This can be exploited by appending malicious data to an OSDP message, leading to unauthorized code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

The AXIS A1001 Network Door Controller running AXIS OS version 1.65.4 or earlier is known to be affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the heap-based buffer overflow in the pacsiod process of the AXIS A1001 via OSDP communication, threat actors can manipulate data beyond the allocated buffer, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21406, it is crucial to take immediate steps to secure the affected systems, implement long-term security practices, and apply relevant patches and updates to mitigate the risk effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to review the Axis security advisory related to CVE-2023-21406 and follow the recommended mitigation steps provided by the vendor. This may include applying patches, implementing network segmentation, or disabling vulnerable services.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to addressing the immediate risk posed by the vulnerability, organizations should establish robust security practices such as regular security assessments, employee training on secure coding practices, and ongoing monitoring for potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Axis Communications AB may release patches or updates to address the CVE-2023-21406 vulnerability. It is crucial for users of the affected systems to install these updates promptly to prevent exploitation and enhance the overall security posture of their network.