CVE-2023-37281 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2023-37281, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Contiki-NG. Find out its impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.
This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-37281, focusing on the out-of-bounds read vulnerability during IPHC address decompression in Contiki-NG.
Understanding CVE-2023-37281
This section delves into the vulnerability and its impact, along with technical details and mitigation strategies.
What is CVE-2023-37281?
CVE-2023-37281 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability within Contiki-NG operating system versions 4.9 and earlier. The flaw arises during IPHC header decompression and allows attackers to read up to 16 bytes out of bounds.
The Impact of CVE-2023-37281
This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to inject packets that trigger out-of-bound reads, potentially leading to information disclosure or system compromise.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-37281
This section outlines specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
Contiki-NG fails to validate the available data before decompressing IPv6 addresses, resulting in an out-of-bounds read when manipulating the IPv6 header fields.
Affected Systems and Versions
Versions of Contiki-NG up to 4.9 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing systems to potential exploitation.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting packets with controlled compression parameters to trigger the out-of-bound read.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section focuses on steps to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
Currently, there is no available patch for CVE-2023-37281. As a temporary workaround, users can manually apply the fixes provided in Contiki-NG pull request #2509 to secure their systems.
Long-Term Security Practices
It is recommended to stay informed about security updates for Contiki-NG and implement patches promptly to address emerging vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Users are advised to regularly check for patched versions of Contiki-NG and apply updates as soon as they become available to prevent potential exploitation.