CVE-2023-3748 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE was published on July 24, 2023, by Red Hat and has a severity rating of Low. The vulnerability involves an infinite loop in babld message parsing that may lead to a denial of service attack.

Understanding CVE-2023-3748

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-3748, including the vulnerability description, impact, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-3748?

CVE-2023-3748 is a flaw identified in FRRouting related to parsing specific babeld unicast hello messages. It could potentially allow attackers to trigger an infinite loop by sending specially crafted hello messages, resulting in a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3748

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it opens up the possibility for attackers to exploit the babld message parsing flaw, leading to a denial of service situation for affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3748

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-3748, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in FRRouting arises from the improper parsing of certain babeld unicast hello messages, allowing malicious actors to manipulate specific message parameters and cause the system to enter an infinite loop, resulting in a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following systems and versions are affected by CVE-2023-3748:

Product: FRRouting

Vendor: N/A
Versions:
Version: 8.5 (Unaffected)

Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Vendor: Red Hat
Versions: 8 (Unaffected)
Package Name: frr
Collection URL: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Package Browser
CPES: cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8

Product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

Vendor: Red Hat
Versions: 9 (Unaffected)
Package Name: frr
Collection URL: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Package Browser
CPES: cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9

Product: Fedora

Vendor: Fedora
Package Name: frr
Collection URL: Fedora Package Browser
Default Status: Unaffected

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-3748 involves sending specially crafted babeld unicast hello messages with manipulated parameters like the unicast flag, interval field, or TLVs, leading to the system entering an infinite loop state.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-3748, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and prioritize patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor system logs for any unusual activity related to babeld unicast hello messages.
Implement network-level controls to filter out malicious traffic targeting the vulnerability.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Red Hat and FRRouting.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update network configurations to enhance security posture.
Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify weaknesses.
Provide relevant security training to IT staff to recognize and respond to potential threats effectively.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches and updates provided by Red Hat for FRRouting to mitigate the CVE-2023-3748 vulnerability.
Follow best practices for system maintenance and ensure timely installation of security patches to prevent exploitation.