CVE-2023-28526 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-28526 was published on December 9, 2023. It affects IBM's Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10, presenting a vulnerability to a heap buffer overflow. This vulnerability, identified by IBM X-Force ID 251204, arises due to improper bounds checking, potentially allowing a local user to trigger a segmentation fault.

Understanding CVE-2023-28526

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-28526, outlining the vulnerability's impact and technical aspects.

What is CVE-2023-28526?

The CVE-2023-28526 vulnerability pertains to a heap buffer overflow in IBM's Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10. This heap-based buffer overflow issue is categorized under CWE-122, resulting from insufficient boundary checks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28526

With a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.2 (Medium severity), this vulnerability has a low attack complexity and local attack vector, but a high availability impact. It does not involve confidentiality or integrity impact or require special privileges, with user interaction not needed for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28526

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects surrounding CVE-2023-28526, such as the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10 arises from a heap buffer overflow due to inadequate bounds checking, potentially leading to a local user causing a segmentation fault.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM's Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing them to the risk of a heap buffer overflow issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the improper bounds checking in IBM's Informix Dynamic Server to overflow the heap buffer, ultimately resulting in a segmentation fault under specific conditions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28526, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should assess the impact of this vulnerability on their IBM Informix Dynamic Server deployments.
Consider implementing temporary workarounds or mitigations while waiting for a permanent fix.
Monitor for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Ensure regular security assessments and vulnerability scans for IBM Informix Dynamic Server installations.
Educate users and administrators on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Stay informed about security advisories from IBM and promptly apply relevant updates.

Patching and Updates

IBM has likely released patches or updates to address the heap buffer overflow vulnerability in Informix Dynamic Server versions 12.10 and 14.10.
Organizations are advised to apply the latest security patches provided by IBM to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2023-28526.