CVE-2023-4163 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-4163 content provides information about a vulnerability in Brocade Fabric OS before v9.2.0a that could allow a local authenticated privileged user to trigger a buffer overflow, leading to a kernel panic with large input to buffers in the portcfgfportbuffers command.

Understanding CVE-2023-4163

This section will cover details about the vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation techniques.

What is CVE-2023-4163?

The CVE-2023-4163 vulnerability occurs in Brocade Fabric OS before v9.2.0a, where a local authenticated privileged user can exploit it to trigger a buffer overflow in the portcfgfportbuffers command.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4163

The impact of CVE-2023-4163 is classified as a medium severity vulnerability with a CVSS base score of 4.4. It can lead to a kernel panic with large input to buffers, affecting the availability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4163

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the vulnerability to provide a comprehensive understanding of its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Brocade Fabric OS before v9.2.0a allows a local authenticated privileged user to trigger a buffer overflow, potentially causing a kernel panic when providing large input to buffers in the portcfgfportbuffers command.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Brocade Fabric OS, specifically versions before v9.2.0a. Platforms impacted include Directors, Embedded Switches, and Switches.

Exploitation Mechanism

This vulnerability can be exploited locally by a privileged user within the system, leveraging the buffer overflow condition in the portcfgfportbuffers command.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-4163, proactive steps need to be taken to prevent any potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions include updating Brocade Fabric OS to version v9.2.0a or newer to address the buffer overflow issue and prevent unauthorized users from triggering a kernel panic.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access controls, regularly monitoring system activity, and ensuring timely software updates can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for security advisories from Brocade and promptly applying recommended patches and updates can help protect the system from known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-4163.