CVE-2023-29383 : Security Advisory and Response

Shadow 4.13 allows for the injection of control characters into fields provided to the SUID program chfn. This CVE enables an adversary to manipulate the /etc/passwd file by using character manipulations and Unicode symbols, potentially leading to a social-engineered denial of service by tricking system administrators.

Understanding CVE-2023-29383

This section delves into the impact and technical details of CVE-2023-29383.

What is CVE-2023-29383?

CVE-2023-29383 in Shadow 4.13 allows for the injection of control characters into fields provided to the SUID program chfn. Despite the inability to directly exploit this vulnerability, adversaries can misrepresent the /etc/passwd file, potentially deceiving system administrators.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29383

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a social-engineered denial of service by convincing system administrators that a rogue user account has been added, ultimately disrupting system operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29383

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Shadow 4.13 allows for the manipulation of the /etc/passwd file, presenting false information to system administrators through character manipulations and Unicode characters.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Shadow 4.13, enabling the misrepresentation of user account information.

Exploitation Mechanism

Adversaries can utilize character manipulations and Unicode symbols to make it seem like a new user account has been added, potentially leading to a social-engineered denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section provides insights into immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

System administrators are advised to closely monitor system activities, validate user accounts, and educate staff to prevent falling victim to such social-engineered attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employing proper access controls, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about emerging threats are essential for maintaining robust security practices.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating the Shadow package to the latest version and promptly applying security patches can help mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-29383.