CVE-2023-24822 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record reveals a vulnerability in RIOT-OS, an operating system that supports Internet of Things devices. The vulnerability exposes the system to a null pointer dereference during IPHC encoding, which can potentially lead to a denial of service attack.

Understanding CVE-2023-24822

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2023-24822 vulnerability in RIOT-OS.

What is CVE-2023-24822?

The CVE-2023-24822 vulnerability in RIOT-OS allows an attacker to exploit a null pointer dereference during IPHC encoding, leading to a hard fault exception and denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24822

This vulnerability has a high impact severity level, as it allows attackers to potentially disrupt IoT devices running RIOT-OS and cause a denial of service by triggering a null pointer dereference.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24822

Understanding the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-24822 vulnerability is crucial for proper mitigation and prevention strategy.

Vulnerability Description

Prior to version 2022.10 of RIOT-OS, an attacker can send a specially crafted frame to a device, resulting in a null pointer dereference during the encoding of a 6LoWPAN IPHC header. This null pointer dereference can trigger a hard fault exception, leading to denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of RIOT-OS earlier than 2022.10. Devices running RIOT-OS with versions preceding 2022.10 are vulnerable to this null pointer dereference issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted frame to a RIOT-OS device, triggering the null pointer dereference during IPHC encoding and causing a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-24822 vulnerability and implementing long-term security practices is essential to safeguard RIOT-OS devices.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address this vulnerability, it is recommended to update RIOT-OS to version 2022.10 or later. Applying the necessary patches manually can also serve as a temporary workaround until the update is completed.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about vulnerability disclosures and updates can help strengthen the overall security of RIOT-OS devices.

Patching and Updates

Updating RIOT-OS to version 2022.10 or installing the relevant patches provided by the vendor is crucial to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors. Regularly checking for security updates and applying them promptly is essential to maintain the security of RIOT-OS devices.