CVE-2023-38315 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-38315, a security vulnerability affecting OpenNDS Captive Portal.

Understanding CVE-2023-38315

CVE-2023-38315 is a vulnerability discovered in OpenNDS Captive Portal before version 10.1.2, leading to a denial-of-service condition due to a NULL pointer dereference triggered by a crafted HTTP GET request.

What is CVE-2023-38315?

CVE-2023-38315, an issue in OpenNDS Captive Portal, allows for a denial-of-service attack through a specific crafted request, causing the system to crash.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38315

The vulnerability in OpenNDS Captive Portal can be exploited to disrupt services, resulting in a loss of availability and potential service interruptions for users.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38315

The technical aspects of CVE-2023-38315 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a NULL pointer dereference in OpenNDS Captive Portal when processing a GET request without the required client token query string parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of OpenNDS Captive Portal prior to 10.1.2 are impacted by CVE-2023-38315.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted GET request to the affected OpenNDS Captive Portal, causing a crash and denial-of-service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-38315, follow these security measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenNDS Captive Portal to version 10.1.2 or newer to address the vulnerability.
Restrict network access to the portal to trusted entities to minimize exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and apply security patches and updates to ensure the system's resilience against potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by OpenNDS to address vulnerabilities and strengthen the security posture of the system.