CVE-2023-25081 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-25081 pertains to multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities found in the vtysh_ubus binary of Milesight UR32L version v32.3.0.5. These vulnerabilities are caused by an unsafe sprintf pattern, which can be exploited by a specially crafted HTTP request to execute arbitrary code. An attacker with high privileges can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious HTTP requests to trigger the buffer overflow.

Understanding CVE-2023-25081

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-25081, outlining what the vulnerability entails and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-25081?

CVE-2023-25081 involves multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the vtysh_ubus binary of Milesight UR32L v32.3.0.5 due to the use of an unsafe sprintf pattern. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by sending specially crafted HTTP requests, leading to arbitrary code execution. The buffer overflow specifically occurs in the firewall_handler_set function with the src and dmz variables.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25081

The impact of CVE-2023-25081 is severe, with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 7.2, categorizing it as a high severity vulnerability. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems are all at risk due to the potential for arbitrary code execution by malicious actors with high privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25081

This section provides a deeper understanding of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from multiple buffer overflow issues in the vtysh_ubus binary of Milesight UR32L version v32.3.0.5. The unsafe sprintf pattern used in the code can be abused by attackers through specially crafted HTTP requests to trigger arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Milesight UR32L version v32.3.0.5 is specifically impacted by this vulnerability due to the buffer overflow present in the firewall_handler_set function with the src and dmz variables.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-25081 involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable vtysh_ubus binary, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code within the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

When dealing with CVE-2023-25081, it is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk and implement long-term security practices to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by the vendor promptly to address the buffer overflow vulnerabilities in Milesight UR32L version v32.3.0.5.
Restrict network access to the affected systems to minimize exposure to potential attacks leveraging this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit network traffic for any suspicious HTTP requests that could potentially exploit buffer overflow vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-25081.
Implement secure coding practices within software development to prevent unsafe coding patterns such as sprintf vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the affected systems are kept up-to-date with security patches released by the vendor to remediate the buffer overflow vulnerabilities present in Milesight UR32L version v32.3.0.5. Regularly check for updates and apply them in a timely manner to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-25081.