CVE-2023-49321 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain WithSecure products are vulnerable to a Denial of Service attack due to a file scanning issue causing the scanner to hang. Find out more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps below.

Understanding CVE-2023-49321

WithSecure products are affected by a vulnerability that allows for a Denial of Service attack, impacting various security solutions offered by the company.

What is CVE-2023-49321?

The vulnerability in certain WithSecure products leads to a Denial of Service condition, triggered by scanning a specifically crafted file. This exploit can cause the scanning process to hang, potentially disrupting the normal operation of the affected security solutions.

The Impact of CVE-2023-49321

The impact of this CVE-2023-49321 vulnerability is significant as it allows threat actors to mount a Denial of Service attack by utilizing a specially crafted file. This attack vector can lead to service unavailability and system downtime, affecting the integrity and availability of the affected WithSecure security products.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-49321

Gain insight into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-49321.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the file scanning functionality of WithSecure products, where processing a maliciously crafted file can trigger a state where the scanner hangs, ultimately resulting in a Denial of Service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

WithSecure Client Security 15, WithSecure Server Security 15, WithSecure Email and Server Security 15, WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection 17 and later, WithSecure Client Security for Mac 15, WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection for Mac 17 and later, WithSecure Linux Security 64 12.0, WithSecure Linux Protection 12.0, and WithSecure Atlant 1.0.35-1 are among the impacted systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker by providing a specially crafted file for scanning, causing the scanning process to hang indefinitely, leading to a Denial of Service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-49321 vulnerability and safeguard your systems from potential threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply security patches provided by WithSecure promptly to address the vulnerability and prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing network-level controls and monitoring for unusual scanning activities can help in early detection of exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining up-to-date security configurations, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on safe file handling practices can enhance the overall security posture of WithSecure products and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by WithSecure to ensure that your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities. Timely application of patches is crucial in safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining the integrity of security solutions.