CVE-2023-28896 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-28896 was published on December 1, 2023, and it affects the MIB3 Infotainment Unit by PREH GMBH. The vulnerability allows attackers with physical access to the vehicle to easily decode critical Unified Diagnostics Services (UDS) transmitted via the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. This vulnerability was discovered on a specific model, the Škoda Superb III (3V3) - 2.0 TDI manufactured in 2022.

Understanding CVE-2023-28896

This section will delve deeper into what CVE-2023-28896 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28896?

CVE-2023-28896 relates to weak encoding for passwords in UDS services, allowing unauthorized access to critical UDS data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28896

The impact of this vulnerability is categorized under CAPEC-115 as an Authentication Bypass, highlighting the severity of potential unauthorized access to UDS information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28896

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the transmission of UDS data through the CAN bus, making it susceptible to decoding by attackers with physical access to the vehicle.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the MIB3 Infotainment Unit by PREH GMBH, specifically in versions less than or equal to 0304.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this weakness by intercepting and decoding the UDS data transmitted via the CAN bus, gaining unauthorized access to critical vehicle information.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-28896 is crucial for safeguarding affected systems and data.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately addressing this vulnerability involves implementing access controls, encryption mechanisms, and limiting physical access to the CAN bus to prevent unauthorized decoding of UDS data.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security audits, penetration testing, and employee training to ensure a robust cybersecurity posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating software and firmware on the affected MIB3 Infotainment Units is essential to patch known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security of the system.