CVE-2023-42441 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-42441 article provides insights into the vulnerability in Vyper smart contract language for the Ethereum Virtual Machine ecosystem.

Understanding CVE-2023-42441

Vyper has an incorrect re-entrancy lock when the key is an empty string.

What is CVE-2023-42441?

Vyper, a Pythonic Smart Contract Language for the Ethereum Virtual Machine, experiences a deadlock issue where locks of the type

@nonreentrant('')

do not provide proper reentrancy checks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-42441

This vulnerability can potentially lead to unexpected behavior and security risks in smart contracts utilizing Vyper versions ranging from 0.2.9 to 0.3.10.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-42441

This section outlines the key technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Starting from Vyper version 0.2.9 to 0.3.10, reentrancy checks fail when locks are of the type

@nonreentrant('')

or

@nonreentrant("")

.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vyper versions >= 0.2.9 and < 0.3.10 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By not conducting proper reentrancy checks, attackers may exploit this vulnerability to perform unauthorized actions in affected smart contracts.

Mitigation and Prevention

Below are the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-42441.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to Vyper version 0.3.10 or newer to address the re-entrancy lock issue.
Validate the locks used in smart contracts to ensure they do not include empty string key reentrancy checks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor Vyper security advisories for any new vulnerabilities or patches.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in smart contracts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about Vyper updates and security patches to protect your smart contracts from potential vulnerabilities.