CVE-2023-4162 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a segmentation fault vulnerability in Brocade Fabric OS after Brocade Fabric OS v9.0, impacting certain versions of the Fabric OS software by Brocade.

Understanding CVE-2023-4162

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-4162, highlighting the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-4162?

The vulnerability in question pertains to a segmentation fault that can occur in Brocade Fabric OS after version 9.0 and before version 9.2.0a, specifically triggered by the

passwdcfg

command. This flaw could potentially be exploited by an authenticated privileged local user to crash a Brocade Fabric OS switch using the CLI command

passwdcfg --set -expire -minDiff

.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4162

The impact of CVE-2023-4162 is categorized under CAPEC-540, a type of attack known as Overread Buffers. This vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.4, indicating a medium severity issue. The attack complexity is rated as low, with a high impact on availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4162

In this section, we explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-4162.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Brocade Fabric OS allows an authenticated privileged local user to trigger a segmentation fault by using the

passwdcfg

command, potentially leading to a system crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

This vulnerability impacts Brocade Fabric OS versions after Brocade Fabric OS v9.0 and before Brocade Fabric OS v9.2.0a. Affected platforms include Directors, Extension Switches, and Switches running Fabric OS by Brocade.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an authenticated privileged user running a specific command in the CLI, initiating a segmentation fault that could crash the affected Brocade Fabric OS switch.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems against CVE-2023-4162 involves taking immediate steps, adopting long-term security practices, and applying necessary patches and updates to mitigate the risk.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately limit access to vulnerable systems, monitor for any unusual activities, and restrict access to the

passwdcfg

command to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust privilege management policies, regular security assessments, and user training on secure practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that affected systems are updated to Brocade Fabric OS version 9.2.0a or higher to eliminate the segmentation fault vulnerability. Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by Brocade to protect against known vulnerabilities.