CVE-2023-33202 impacts Bouncy Castle for Java before version 1.73, allowing attackers to trigger an OutOfMemoryError through crafted files, leading to denial of service attacks.
A Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability has been identified in Bouncy Castle for Java before version 1.73. This CVE impacts the org.bouncycastle.openssl.PEMParser class, which is responsible for parsing OpenSSL PEM encoded streams containing X.509 certificates, PKCS8 encoded keys, and PKCS7 objects. Exploiting this vulnerability by parsing a specially crafted file can lead to an OutOfMemoryError, potentially enabling a denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2023-33202
This section will cover the key details of CVE-2023-33202.
What is CVE-2023-33202?
CVE-2023-33202 is a Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability present in Bouncy Castle for Java before version 1.73. The vulnerability lies within the org.bouncycastle.openssl.PEMParser class.
The Impact of CVE-2023-33202
Exploiting CVE-2023-33202 can lead to an OutOfMemoryError, potentially enabling attackers to launch denial of service attacks.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-33202
This section will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-33202.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the PEMParser class, which parses OpenSSL PEM encoded streams. Crafting ASN.1 data in a malicious way can trigger an OutOfMemoryError.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of Bouncy Castle for Java before 1.73 are affected by CVE-2023-33202.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by feeding specially crafted files to the PEMParser class, triggering an OutOfMemoryError.
Mitigation and Prevention
Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-33202 is crucial.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update Bouncy Castle for Java to version 1.73 or newer to mitigate the risk of this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure coding practices and staying informed about security updates can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for updates from Bouncy Castle and apply patches promptly to address known security issues.