CVE-2023-24818 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves a vulnerability in RIOT-OS where a null pointer dereference occurs during fragment forwarding, potentially leading to denial of service attacks. Understanding the details of this CVE can help in mitigating its impact and securing affected systems.

Understanding CVE-2023-24818

RIOT-OS, known for supporting Internet of Things devices, is susceptible to a null pointer dereference flaw within its network stack. The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit uninitialized entries in the reassembly buffer by sending a crafted frame to the device, resulting in a denial of service scenario. It is crucial to address this vulnerability promptly to safeguard systems running RIOT-OS.

What is CVE-2023-24818?

The CVE-2023-24818 vulnerability in RIOT-OS enables attackers to trigger a NULL pointer dereference by exploiting the network stack's handling of 6LoWPAN frames. This can lead to a denial of service condition due to a hard fault exception triggered during fragment forwarding.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24818

The impact of CVE-2023-24818 is rated as high, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5. The vulnerability's exploitability is heightened by the network attack vector, coupled with a low attack complexity. The availability impact is significant, highlighting the severity of potential denial of service attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24818

The technical aspects of CVE-2023-24818 shed light on the vulnerability's nature, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms, providing essential insights for remediation efforts.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in RIOT-OS arises from the network stack's handling of 6LoWPAN frames, where a crafted frame can trigger a NULL pointer dereference during fragment forwarding. This exploit leads to a denial of service condition due to the hard fault exception triggered by the uninitialized entry in the reassembly buffer.

Affected Systems and Versions

RIOT-OS versions prior to 2022.10 are impacted by CVE-2023-24818. Devices running affected versions are vulnerable to exploitation through crafted frames, making it crucial to update to version 2022.10 or apply relevant patches to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-24818 involves sending a specially crafted frame to the RIOT-OS device, triggering the NULL pointer dereference during the forwarding of a fragment. This manipulation of the reassembly buffer by an attacker can result in a denial of service scenario, emphasizing the critical nature of this vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2023-24818 requires immediate action to mitigate the risk of exploitation and secure affected systems running RIOT-OS. By following established security practices and applying recommended measures, organizations can enhance their defenses against potential threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the vulnerability, organizations should update RIOT-OS to version 2022.10 or later, which contains fixes for CVE-2023-24818. Additionally, disabling support for fragmented IP datagrams can serve as a temporary workaround until the update is applied.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security protocols, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, and staying updated on patch releases are essential for maintaining the integrity and security of IoT devices running RIOT-OS. Educating users on safe networking practices can also help prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security updates and patches released by RIOT-OS is crucial for addressing vulnerabilities promptly. Organizations should establish a patch management strategy to ensure timely deployment of fixes and reduce the risk of exploitation related to CVE-2023-24818.