CVE-2023-33297 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the impact of CVE-2023-33297 on Bitcoin Core versions before 24.1. Learn about the technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps against this vulnerability.
Bitcoin Core before 24.1, when debug mode is not used, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (e.g., CPU consumption) because draining the inventory-to-send queue is inefficient, as exploited in the wild in May 2023.
Understanding CVE-2023-33297
This CVE affects Bitcoin Core versions before 24.1, presenting a vulnerability that could be exploited to launch a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2023-33297?
CVE-2023-33297 is a vulnerability in Bitcoin Core that allows attackers to induce a denial of service attack by exploiting inefficiencies in draining the inventory-to-send queue.
The Impact of CVE-2023-33297
This vulnerability can lead to a significant impact on affected Bitcoin Core nodes by causing CPU consumption to the point of denial of service.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-33297
Bitcoin Core versions before 24.1 are vulnerable to this denial of service attack due to inefficient inventory-to-send queue management.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Bitcoin Core is related to how the inventory-to-send queue is handled, leading to inefficient resource consumption when exploited.
Affected Systems and Versions
Bitcoin Core versions before 24.1 are affected by CVE-2023-33297, making them susceptible to this denial of service vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the inefficiencies in draining the inventory-to-send queue, resulting in high CPU consumption.
Mitigation and Prevention
Bitcoin Core users and administrators can take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-33297.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is recommended to update Bitcoin Core to version 24.1 or newer to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability and protect against denial of service attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Maintaining regular updates and security monitoring of Bitcoin Core installations is essential to mitigate future vulnerabilities and attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely application of security patches released by the Bitcoin Core development team to address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-33297.