CVE-2023-3592 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record was published on October 2, 2023, by Eclipse for the vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3592. It pertains to a memory leak issue in Mosquitto versions prior to 2.0.16 when clients send v5 CONNECT packets with a will message containing invalid property types.

Understanding CVE-2023-3592

This section will delve deeper into the details of CVE-2023-3592, explaining the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-3592?

CVE-2023-3592 highlights a memory leak vulnerability in Mosquitto versions preceding 2.0.16. The issue arises when clients transmit v5 CONNECT packets with a will message that includes invalid property types.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3592

The impact of CVE-2023-3592 is categorized under CAPEC-130, known as Excessive Allocation. This vulnerability could lead to memory leaks, potentially affecting system stability and performance.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3592

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-3592, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Mosquitto before version 2.0.16 triggers a memory leak when clients interact with v5 CONNECT packets containing a will message with improper property types.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Mosquitto by Eclipse, with versions less than 2.0.16 falling prey to this memory leak vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-3592, threat actors can send crafted v5 CONNECT packets with malicious will messages to trigger the memory leak in vulnerable Mosquitto versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

When addressing CVE-2023-3592, it is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to Mosquitto version 2.0.16 or newer to eliminate the memory leak vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Eclipse regarding Mosquitto to promptly install patches that address CVE-2023-3592 and other vulnerabilities.