CVE-2023-4459 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE details a moderate severity vulnerability assigned by Red Hat. The vulnerability involves a null pointer dereference in the

vmxnet3_rq_cleanup()

function within the vmxnet3 networking sub-component in the Linux Kernel.

Understanding CVE-2023-4459

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-4459 is and the impact it may have.

What is CVE-2023-4459?

CVE-2023-4459 is a null pointer dereference flaw found in the Linux Kernel's vmxnet3 networking sub-component, specifically in the vmxnet3_rq_cleanup function. This vulnerability could potentially be exploited by a local attacker with normal user privileges to cause a denial of service due to a missing sanity check during cleanup.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4459

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential for a local attacker to exploit the null pointer dereference flaw, leading to a denial of service situation within the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4459

This section will provide in-depth technical details regarding CVE-2023-4459.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in the vmxnet3_rq_cleanup function within the vmxnet3 networking sub-component in the Linux Kernel, which could be exploited by a local attacker to cause a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Kernel 5.18: Unaffected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6: Unknown status
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: Unknown status
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8: Affected
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9: Affected
Fedora: Unaffected

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this flaw would require CAP_NET_ADMIN access privilege in any user or network namespace.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the CVE-2023-4459 vulnerability involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices to enhance system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate this issue, prevent the affected code from being loaded by blacklisting the kernel module "vmxnet3". Instructions on how to blacklist a kernel module can be found at the respective security solution provided.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, it is crucial to stay updated with security patches and implement robust security measures to protect against potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Red Hat to address CVE-2023-4459. Regularly update your systems to ensure they are protected against known vulnerabilities.