CVE-2023-31475 : What You Need to Know

A buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered on GL.iNet devices, making them susceptible to exploitation. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for CVE-2023-31475.

Understanding CVE-2023-31475

GL.iNet devices before version 3.216 are affected by a buffer overflow vulnerability in the function guci2_get() found in libglutil.so.

What is CVE-2023-31475?

The vulnerability arises when an item is requested from a UCI context, and the value is copied into a char pointer to a buffer without proper size validation, leading to a buffer overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2023-31475

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the device, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-31475

Vulnerability Description

The buffer overflow occurs in the guci2_get() function due to inadequate bounds checking when copying data into a buffer.

Affected Systems and Versions

GL.iNet devices before version 3.216 are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input to trigger the buffer overflow, leading to arbitrary code execution or a system crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to update GL.iNet devices to version 3.216 or above to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, restrict network access to the devices to trusted users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, such as input validation and proper buffer handling, to prevent buffer overflow vulnerabilities in future software releases.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from GL.iNet to address known vulnerabilities and improve the overall security posture of the devices.