CVE-2023-28856 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-28856 involves a vulnerability in Redis, an open-source, in-memory database that persists on disk. The use of the

HINCRBYFLOAT

command by authenticated users can lead to the creation of an invalid hash field, causing Redis to crash upon access in certain affected versions. The issue has been addressed in versions 7.0.11, 6.2.12, and 6.0.19 of Redis. It is highly recommended for users to update their systems to the patched versions as there are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2023-28856

This section delves deeper into the nature of the CVE-2023-28856 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28856?

The CVE-2023-28856 vulnerability revolves around the misuse of the

HINCRBYFLOAT

command in Redis, leading to the creation of an invalid hash field that can trigger crashes in the database upon access in certain versions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28856

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized as having a medium severity level, with a CVSS base score of 5.5 out of 10. The attack complexity is low, with a local attack vector and high availability impact, requiring low privileges for exploitation. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are assessed as none.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28856

Exploring the vulnerability in detail including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of the

HINCRBYFLOAT

command in Redis, allowing authenticated users to create a hash field that can crash the database upon access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted systems include Redis versions:

Version >= 7.0.0, < 7.0.11
Version >= 6.2.0, < 6.2.12
Version < 6.0.19

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves the deliberate use of the

HINCRBYFLOAT

command by authenticated users to create the specific hash field that triggers the crash in Redis.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines on addressing and preventing the CVE-2023-28856 vulnerability to enhance system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to update their Redis installations to the patched versions: 7.0.11, 6.2.12, or 6.0.19 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement strict access control measures to limit the usage of the

HINCRBYFLOAT

command only to trusted and authorized users.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from Redis to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and patches.
Conduct routine security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates released by Redis to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system resilience.
Establish a robust patch management process to streamline the deployment of critical security updates across the infrastructure.