CVE-2023-33974 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

RIOT-OS, an operating system for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, contains a network stack with the ability to process 6LoWPAN frames. In versions 2023.01 and prior, an attacker can send multiple crafted frames to the device to trigger a race condition, leading to denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2023-33974

This CVE involves a race condition vulnerability in RIOT-OS, impacting versions 2023.01 and earlier.

What is CVE-2023-33974?

The vulnerability in RIOT-OS allows an attacker to exploit a race condition, leading to denial of service due to invalid memory access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33974

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specifically crafted frames, causing the system to enter an invalid state and resulting in a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33974

The vulnerability involves a race condition that occurs in RIOT-OS when processing 6LoWPAN frames.

Vulnerability Description

An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending multiple crafted frames, triggering a race condition and resulting in an invalid memory access.

Affected Systems and Versions

RIOT-OS versions 2023.01 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending malicious frames to the device, causing the race condition and subsequent denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-33974, immediate action is required to secure affected systems and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update RIOT-OS to the patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch IoT devices to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the security patch provided in pull request 19679 to secure the system against this vulnerability.