CVE-2023-28366 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record, published on September 1, 2023, highlights a vulnerability in Eclipse Mosquitto versions 1.3.2 through 2.x before 2.0.16. The specific issue involves a memory leak in the broker that can be exploited remotely under certain conditions.

Understanding CVE-2023-28366

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-28366, outlining the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-28366?

The vulnerability in Eclipse Mosquitto 1.3.2 through 2.x before 2.0.16 involves a memory leak that can be triggered remotely. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending numerous QoS 2 messages with duplicate message IDs and not responding to PUBREC commands. This vulnerability stems from how the broker mishandles EAGAIN from the libc send function.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28366

The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, as it allows remote attackers to abuse the memory leak in the broker. By leveraging this flaw, malicious individuals can potentially disrupt the functionality of affected systems and compromise their security.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28366

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28366, including a description of the vulnerability, the systems and versions affected, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Eclipse Mosquitto versions 1.3.2 through 2.x before 2.0.16 is characterized by a memory leak within the broker. This flaw can be exploited remotely by sending multiple QoS 2 messages with duplicate message IDs and failing to respond to PUBREC commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Eclipse Mosquitto versions 1.3.2 through 2.x prior to version 2.0.16. Systems running these versions are susceptible to the memory leak issue in the broker.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-28366, attackers need to send a high volume of QoS 2 messages with duplicate message IDs and deliberately neglect responding to PUBREC commands. This triggers the memory leak in the broker due to mishandling of EAGAIN from the libc send function.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on strategies to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28366 and prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Eclipse Mosquitto to version 2.0.16 or later to address the memory leak vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to monitor and detect any unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for software updates and security advisories related to Eclipse Mosquitto to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Enhance network security best practices and protocols to fortify the overall security posture of systems running vulnerable versions of Eclipse Mosquitto.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of patches and updates released by Eclipse Mosquitto to remediate known vulnerabilities and safeguard systems against potential attacks. Regularly check for security advisories and follow best practices for secure software deployment and maintenance.