CVE-2023-28625 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28625, which was published on April 3, 2023, by GitHub_M. The vulnerability is related to the mod_auth_openidc module and involves a NULL Pointer Dereference issue, which can lead to a core dump when OIDCStripCookies is set and an empty Cookie header is supplied.

Understanding CVE-2023-28625

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-28625 is found in the mod_auth_openidc module, which is utilized as an authentication and authorization module for the Apache 2.x HTTP server. This vulnerability can potentially lead to a segmentation fault causing a Denial-of-Service (DoS) scenario.

What is CVE-2023-28625?

CVE-2023-28625 is a security vulnerability found in versions 2.0.0 through 2.4.13.1 of the mod_auth_openidc module. When a crafted cookie is supplied and OIDCStripCookies is configured, a NULL pointer dereference may occur, resulting in a segmentation fault. This vulnerability has a high impact on availability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28625

The impact of CVE-2023-28625 is categorized as high severity due to its potential to cause a core dump and trigger a DoS attack on systems where the affected versions of mod_auth_openidc are in use.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28625

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-28625 arises when a crafted cookie is provided while the OIDCStripCookies feature is enabled in mod_auth_openidc, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference and subsequent segmentation fault.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system in this case is the OpenIDC module with versions ranging from 2.0.0 up to 2.4.13.1. Systems using these versions are at risk of exploitation via CVE-2023-28625.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-28625, an attacker would need to send a crafted cookie to a system running the vulnerable versions of mod_auth_openidc with OIDCStripCookies setting enabled, triggering a NULL pointer dereference and potential DoS.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the CVE-2023-28625 vulnerability, immediate steps should be taken along with the adoption of long-term security practices and applying relevant patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

As an immediate step to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-28625, users are advised to refrain from using the OIDCStripCookies feature in the affected versions of mod_auth_openidc.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, including regular security audits, code reviews, and staying updated on security advisories, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Users are strongly recommended to update their mod_auth_openidc module to version 2.4.13.2, which contains a patch to address the NULL pointer dereference issue associated with CVE-2023-28625. Regularly applying security updates is vital to maintaining system security and resilience.