CVE-2023-46724 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-46724 involves a Denial of Service vulnerability in SSL Certificate validation in SQUID-2023:4, impacting versions of Squid caching proxy from 3.3.0.1 to 6.4.

Understanding CVE-2023-46724

Denial of Service vulnerability in SSL Certificate validation in Squid.

What is CVE-2023-46724?

Squid versions 3.3.0.1 through 5.9 and below 6.4 compiled with

--with-openssl

are prone to a Denial of Service vulnerability. This issue allows a remote attacker to trigger a DoS attack against Squid Proxy by sending a specially crafted SSL Certificate during a TLS Handshake.

The Impact of CVE-2023-46724

The vulnerability enables an attacker to exploit SSL Certificate validation, leading to a Denial of Service condition against the Squid Proxy, affecting the integrity and availability of the service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-46724

Details about the vulnerability, affected systems, and how exploitation can occur.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an Improper Validation of Specified Index bug, allowing a remote server to launch a DoS attack by manipulating SSL Certificate validation during TLS Handshake, affecting HTTPS and SSL-Bump.

Affected Systems and Versions

Squid versions 3.3.0.1 to 5.9 and any version prior to 6.4 compiled with

--with-openssl

are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker exploits the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted SSL Certificate during a TLS Handshake, triggering a DoS condition against the Squid Proxy.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines on how to address and prevent the CVE-2023-46724 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to Squid version 6.4 or implement patches available in the Squid's patch archives to mitigate the vulnerability. Users of prepackaged Squid versions should contact their package vendor for updated packages.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating Squid Proxy to the latest stable releases, applying security patches promptly, and implementing robust SSL certificate validation practices to enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches released by Squid to address vulnerabilities and enhance the security of the Squid Proxy service.