CVE-2023-33975 : What You Need to Know

RIOT-OS, an operating system for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, contains a network stack with the ability to process 6LoWPAN frames. In version 2023.01 and prior, an attacker can send a crafted frame to the device resulting in an out of bounds write in the packet buffer. The overflow can be used to corrupt other packets and the allocator metadata. Corrupting a pointer will easily lead to denial of service. While carefully manipulating the allocator metadata gives an attacker the possibility to write data to arbitrary locations and thus execute arbitrary code. This issue is fixed in pull request 19680. As a workaround, disable support for fragmented IP datagrams.

Understanding CVE-2023-33975

RIOT-OS is vulnerable to an Out of Bounds Write in _rbuf_add, impacting the security of IoT devices.

What is CVE-2023-33975?

CVE-2023-33975 highlights a vulnerability in RIOT-OS where an attacker can exploit the network stack's processing of 6LoWPAN frames to trigger an out of bounds write in the packet buffer, leading to potential denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33975

The vulnerability in RIOT-OS versions 2023.01 and earlier could allow an attacker to compromise system integrity, disrupt services, and potentially execute malicious code on IoT devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33975

In RIOT-OS, the vulnerability arises due to improper restriction of memory buffer operations and an out-of-bounds write scenario. The CVSS score for this critical vulnerability is 9.8.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger an out of bounds write in the packet buffer, potentially leading to denial of service and arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

RIOT-OS version 2023.01 and prior are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted frame to the device, corrupting the packet buffer and allocator metadata, thus gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address CVE-2023-33975 and prevent potential exploitation on RIOT-OS.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the fix provided in pull request 19680 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Consider disabling support for fragmented IP datagrams as a temporary workaround.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update RIOT-OS to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Monitor security advisories and apply relevant patches promptly.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from RIOT-OS and ensure timely application of patches to protect IoT devices from potential threats.