CVE-2023-4494 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-4494 was discovered and published by INCIBE on October 4, 2023. It involves a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Easy Chat Server version 3.1, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the remote machine.

Understanding CVE-2023-4494

This section will delve deeper into the details of CVE-2023-4494, including its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-4494?

CVE-2023-4494 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Easy Chat Server 3.1. An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending an excessively long username string to the register.ghp file via a GET request, leading to arbitrary code execution on the remote system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4494

The impact of this vulnerability is severe, with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10, classifying it as critical. It has a low attack complexity, affects network accessibility, and can result in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4494

This section will provide more insights into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from an improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, categorized under CWE-119. This allows attackers to overflow the buffer, leading to the execution of malicious code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Easy Chat Server version 3.1 is specifically impacted by this vulnerability. Users of this version are at risk of exploitation if not addressed promptly.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending a specially crafted username string to the register.ghp file via a GET request, attackers can trigger the buffer overflow condition and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2023-4494, immediate steps should be taken to address the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Easy Chat Server to a patched version that addresses the buffer overflow vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address potential risks proactively.

Patching and Updates

Vendor-provided patches should be applied promptly to secure the system against known vulnerabilities and ensure overall system resilience.