CVE-2023-24833 : Security Advisory and Response

This is an overview of CVE-2023-24833, a use-after-free vulnerability in Hermes prior to a specific commit that could potentially lead to data leakage from the Hermes VM's heap.

Understanding CVE-2023-24833

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-24833, including what the vulnerability entails and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-24833?

CVE-2023-24833 is a use-after-free vulnerability specifically found in BigIntPrimitive addition in Hermes before commit a6dcafe6ded8e61658b40f5699878cd19a481f80. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to leak raw data from the Hermes VM's heap. Notably, this vulnerability is only exploitable in scenarios where Hermes is used to execute untrusted JavaScript, with most React Native applications remaining unaffected.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24833

The impact of CVE-2023-24833 lies in its potential to expose sensitive data from the Hermes VM's heap when leveraged by a malicious actor. Understanding the ramifications of this vulnerability is crucial for organizations utilizing Hermes in their applications.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24833

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-24833, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The use-after-free vulnerability in BigIntPrimitive addition in Hermes prior to the commit a6dcafe6ded8e61658b40f5699878cd19a481f80 could be exploited by threat actors to leak raw data from the Hermes VM's heap, posing a significant security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Hermes version 0 with a version type of Git. Specifically, versions earlier than commit a6dcafe6ded8e61658b40f5699878cd19a481f80 are susceptible to this use-after-free issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-24833 involves leveraging the use-after-free vulnerability in BigIntPrimitive addition in Hermes to manipulate the VM's heap and potentially extract sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline key steps that organizations and users can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-24833 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security best practices such as avoiding the execution of untrusted JavaScript using Hermes to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Implementing robust security measures can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and continuous monitoring of vulnerabilities within their software stack to enhance overall security posture and resilience against potential threats.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for users of Hermes to apply the necessary patches and updates, including committing to a6dcafe6ded8e61658b40f5699878cd19a481f80 or later, to remediate the use-after-free vulnerability and safeguard their systems from potential data leakage risks. Regularly updating software components is essential in maintaining a secure and robust IT environment.