CVE-2023-28116 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-28116 involves a buffer overflow vulnerability in L2CAP due to a misconfigured MTU in Contiki-NG versions 4.8 and prior. It has a CVSS base score of 8.1, indicating a high severity level.

Understanding CVE-2023-28116

In this section, we will delve into the details of the vulnerability and its impact as well as the technical aspects related to CVE-2023-28116.

What is CVE-2023-28116?

The CVE-2023-28116 vulnerability occurs in the BLE L2CAP module of the Contiki-NG operating system, allowing an out-of-bounds write due to a buffer overflow. Contiki-NG is an open-source operating system designed for IoT devices.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28116

The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. If exploited, it could lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or denial of service on affected systems running Contiki-NG versions 4.8 and earlier.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28116

Now, let's explore the technical details of CVE-2023-28116, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds write in the BLE L2CAP module of Contiki-NG caused by a misconfigured MTU, leading to a buffer overflow. This can result in potential security risks for IoT devices utilizing Contiki-NG.

Affected Systems and Versions

Contiki-NG versions <= 4.8 are impacted by this vulnerability. Systems running these versions are susceptible to the buffer overflow in the BLE L2CAP module due to a misconfigured MTU setting.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious packets that trigger the buffer overflow in the BLE L2CAP module, potentially gaining unauthorized access or disrupting the normal operation of the affected IoT devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will outline the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28116 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the vulnerability, users should apply the patch available in the "develop" branch of Contiki-NG or await the release of version 4.9, which includes the fix. It is crucial to update affected systems promptly to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices, such as regularly updating software and monitoring for security advisories, can help enhance the overall security posture of IoT devices operating on Contiki-NG to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and patches provided by Contiki-NG to address security vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-28116. Applying patches timely can safeguard systems from potential exploits and ensure the overall security of IoT devices utilizing Contiki-NG.