CVE-2023-5753 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the Zephyr Bluetooth subsystem, specifically due to asserts being disabled in /subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c.

Understanding CVE-2023-5753

This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-5753, poses a risk to systems utilizing the Zephyr Bluetooth subsystem. By exploiting this vulnerability, threat actors could potentially trigger buffer overflows in the Bluetooth subsystem, leading to a range of security issues.

What is CVE-2023-5753?

The CVE-2023-5753 vulnerability arises from disabled asserts in the Zephyr Bluetooth subsystem's /subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c file. This could enable attackers to overrun buffers, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code or denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5753

The impact of CVE-2023-5753 is significant, as it opens up systems to potential exploitation through buffer overflows in the Bluetooth subsystem. Threat actors could leverage this vulnerability to compromise system integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5753

The vulnerability is classified under two CWEs: CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input) and CWE-191 (Integer Underflow). It has a CVSS base score of 6.3, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is through an adjacent network with low attack complexity.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Zephyr Bluetooth subsystem arises from disabled asserts in the hci_core.c file, potentially leading to buffer overflows that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Zephyr version * with a version less than 3.5 and utilizing the Bluetooth subsystem is impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By disabling asserts in the Bluetooth subsystem's hci_core.c file, threat actors could exploit buffer overflows to execute arbitrary code or disrupt system operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5753 and enhance overall system security, it is crucial to implement immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions include monitoring for any unusual activities, applying security updates, and restricting network access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and staying updated on patches and vulnerabilities are essential for long-term security resilience.

Patching and Updates

It is highly recommended to apply patches released by Zephyr for addressing the buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth subsystem proactively. Regularly updating the Zephyr software to the latest secure version is crucial to mitigate the risk of exploitation.