CVE-2023-28113 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves an insecurity in Diffie-Hellman key validation within russh, a Rust SSH client and server library. The vulnerability exists in versions 0.34.0 to 0.37.1 and can result in the exposure of shared secrets, compromising confidentiality.

Understanding CVE-2023-28113

This vulnerability relates to the improper validation of Diffie-Hellman keys in the russh library, potentially leading to confidentiality breaches in affected versions.

What is CVE-2023-28113?

CVE-2023-28113 highlights an insecurity where the Diffie-Hellman key validation process in russh versions 0.34.0 to 0.37.1 is inadequate, allowing for the possibility of shared secrets being compromised, thus impacting confidentiality.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28113

The vulnerability can lead to insecure shared secrets, which may result in confidentiality breaches during SSH communication between russh clients, servers, or with other misbehaving peers. This issue primarily affects interoperability due to the acceptance of keys that are rejected by most other implementations.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28113

The following technical details shed light on the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient Diffie-Hellman key validation in russh versions 0.34.0 to 0.37.1, potentially enabling eavesdropping and confidentiality breaches.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is

russh

by

warp-tech

, with versions 0.34.0, 0.36.2, 0.37.0, and 0.37.1 being impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-28113 involves utilizing the inadequate Diffie-Hellman key validation process in vulnerable versions of the russh library.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28113, the following mitigation measures can be implemented:

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should upgrade to fixed versions 0.36.2 or 0.37.1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid insecure network connections until the russh library is updated to a secure version.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security updates and patch management practices.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to apply patches and updates provided by the russh library to ensure that the vulnerability is addressed effectively in the system.