CVE-2023-38313 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-38313 article provides insights into a vulnerability found in OpenNDS Captive Portal before version 10.1.2, leading to a Denial-of-Service condition due to a NULL pointer dereference. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps below.

Understanding CVE-2023-38313

This section dives into the specifics of CVE-2023-38313, shedding light on the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-38313?

CVE-2023-38313 is an issue discovered in OpenNDS Captive Portal before version 10.1.2, involving a do_binauth NULL pointer dereference triggered by a crafted GET HTTP request. The vulnerability can cause a Denial-of-Service condition when the client redirect query string parameter is missing.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38313

Triggering this vulnerability results in crashing openNDS when the client is in the authentication stage, pertaining to cases where the BinAuth option is set. This impact can disrupt service availability and affect user experience.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38313

Explore the technical intricacies of CVE-2023-38313, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in OpenNDS Captive Portal before 10.1.2 involves a do_binauth NULL pointer dereference that occurs during the authentication of clients. This vulnerability is exploited through a crafted GET HTTP request without a specific client redirect query string parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is OpenNDS Captive Portal version prior to 10.1.2, where the vulnerability threatens the stability and availability of the system, potentially leading to a Denial-of-Service scenario.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-38313, an attacker sends a specially crafted GET HTTP request to the vulnerable OpenNDS instance, omitting the necessary client redirect query string parameter. This triggers the do_binauth NULL pointer dereference, resulting in a crash and service disruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to address and prevent the CVE-2023-38313 vulnerability through immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-38313, update OpenNDS Captive Portal to version 10.1.2 or later. Ensure that all client redirect query string parameters are included in GET HTTP requests to prevent NULL pointer dereference.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and swift patch management to bolster the resilience of OpenNDS Captive Portal against similar vulnerabilities. Educate stakeholders on the importance of proactive security measures.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by OpenNDS. Promptly apply patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities and safeguard the integrity of the Captive Portal system.