CVE-2023-3106 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2023-3106, a moderate severity vulnerability involving a NULL pointer dereference in netlink_dump. Understand the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and necessary mitigation steps.
This CVE details a moderate severity vulnerability identified as a NULL pointer dereference in the netlink_dump function. The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service or potentially other impacts when specific conditions are met.
Understanding CVE-2023-3106
The vulnerability in CVE-2023-3106 involves a NULL pointer dereference within the netlink_dump function, which can be triggered by certain Netlink socket messages. The impact ranges from denial of service to potential unknown consequences.
What is CVE-2023-3106?
CVE-2023-3106 is a vulnerability in the netlink_dump function that can be exploited through specific Netlink socket messages, potentially leading to a denial of service or other adverse effects. Although less likely, privilege escalation cannot be entirely ruled out due to the nature of the flaw.
The Impact of CVE-2023-3106
The impact of CVE-2023-3106 includes the potential for denial of service and other unspecified consequences. While the likelihood of privilege escalation is low, the vulnerability requires immediate attention to prevent exploitation.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-3106
The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS base score of 6.6, categorizing it as having a moderate severity level. It has a low attack complexity and vector, with high availability impact. The affected systems include various versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from a NULL pointer dereference in the netlink_dump function, triggered by specific Netlink socket messages. This can result in a denial of service or other potential impacts, with a slight possibility of privilege escalation.
Affected Systems and Versions
Systems affected by CVE-2023-3106 include Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 6, 7, 8, and 9, along with Fedora. Specific versions of the kernel in these systems may have varying statuses regarding vulnerability impact.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending Netlink socket messages for XFRM_MSG_GETSA and XFRM_MSG_GETPOLICY type messages while setting the DUMP flag. Attackers can potentially exploit this to cause a denial of service or other adverse effects.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2023-3106, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the risk and enhance overall system security. Long-term security practices and regular patching and updates are crucial in preventing potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediate actions to mitigate the vulnerability involve updating affected systems with the latest patches and security fixes. It is essential to monitor and restrict Netlink socket communications to prevent potential exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
In the long term, organizations should implement robust security measures, including network segmentation, access controls, and regular security assessments. Employing intrusion detection systems and maintaining system hygiene can reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying security patches and updates from the vendor is essential in addressing CVE-2023-3106. Organizations should stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply relevant patches to ensure system integrity and prevent potential exploits.