CVE-2023-24545 : What You Need to Know

A denial of service vulnerability has been identified in Arista CloudEOS due to an issue in the Software Forwarding Engine (Sfe), which could be exploited by sending malformed packets to the switch.

Understanding CVE-2023-24545

This section will delve deeper into the nature of CVE-2023-24545, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-24545?

CVE-2023-24545 is a vulnerability in the Software Forwarding Engine (Sfe) of Arista CloudEOS platforms that could result in a denial of service attack. By sending malformed packets to the affected switch, an attacker may exhaust packet buffers, leading to a halt in traffic forwarding operations.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24545

The impact of CVE-2023-24545 is significant as it could potentially disrupt network operations by causing the switch to cease forwarding traffic when a sufficient number of malformed packets are received. This could result in service unavailability and operational inefficiencies.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24545

Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-24545 including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an issue in the Software Forwarding Engine (Sfe) of Arista CloudEOS, allowing attackers to trigger a denial of service condition by sending specially crafted malformed packets to the switch.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following versions of Arista EOS are affected by CVE-2023-24545:

Version 4.29.0 to 4.29.1F
Version 4.28.0 to 4.28.4M
Version 4.27.0 to 4.27.7M
Version 4.26.8M

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-24545 involves sending malformed packets to the switch running the Software Forwarding Engine (Sfe), causing a depletion of packet buffers and potential traffic disruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-24545 and prevent exploitation, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching recommendations should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

As there are no workarounds for this vulnerability, users are advised to upgrade to a fixed software version promptly. Arista recommends moving to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long run, it is crucial to stay updated with security advisories, implement secure configuration practices, and conduct regular security assessments to ensure the network's resilience against potential vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-24545.

Patching and Updates

The recommended resolution for CVE-2023-24545 is to upgrade to the following remediated software versions:

4.29.2F and later releases in the 4.29.x train
4.28.5M and later releases in the 4.28.x train
4.27.8M and later releases in the 4.27.x train
4.26.9M and later releases in the 4.26.x train Additionally, hotfixes are available for immediate remediation of CVE-2023-24545 and related vulnerabilities. Apply the appropriate hotfixes based on your current software version to mitigate potential risks.