CVE-2023-33221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-33221, a vulnerability that affects certain IDEMIA products.

Understanding CVE-2023-33221

CVE-2023-33221 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability related to reading DESFire cards.

What is CVE-2023-33221?

When reading DESFire keys, the function that reads the card doesn't properly check boundaries, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow. This could result in potential Remote Code Execution on the targeted device, especially when using the Default DESFire key.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33221

The vulnerability identified as CAPEC-100 Overflow Buffers has a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.8 (Medium severity). It can have a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and requiring no privileges from the user.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33221

The vulnerability affects several IDEMIA products, including SIGMA Lite & Lite +, SIGMA Wide, SIGMA Extreme, MorphoWave Compact/XP, VisionPass, and MorphoWave SP.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to improper boundary checking when copying data received during card reading, leading to the heap-based buffer overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

SIGMA Lite & Lite + (Versions less than 4.15.5)
SIGMA Wide (Versions less than 4.15.5)
SIGMA Extreme (Versions less than 4.15.5)
MorphoWave Compact/XP (Versions less than 2.12.2)
VisionPass (Versions less than 2.12.2)
MorphoWave SP (Versions less than 1.2.7)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability may allow attackers to execute remote code on the targeted device, particularly perilous when using the Default DESFire key.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-33221, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected products to versions that address the vulnerability.
Implement access controls and encryption measures to mitigate risks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories from IDEMIA and apply patches promptly.
Conduct security training for employees to increase awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Refer to IDEMIA's security advisory for detailed instructions on patching and updating affected products.