CVE-2023-6478 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6478 involves an out-of-bounds memory read in rrchangeoutputproperty and rrchangeproviderproperty in Xorg-x11-server, affecting multiple products including Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions.

Understanding CVE-2023-6478

This vulnerability relates to a flaw found in xorg-server that can be exploited through a specially crafted request to RRChangeProviderProperty or RRChangeOutputProperty, leading to an integer overflow and potential disclosure of sensitive information.

What is CVE-2023-6478?

CVE-2023-6478 is a security issue in Xorg-x11-server that allows attackers to trigger an out-of-bounds memory read via specific requests, potentially resulting in the exposure of sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6478

The impact of CVE-2023-6478 can be severe, as it may lead to a compromise of confidentiality by disclosing sensitive information through exploiting the identified flaw.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6478

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an integer overflow in Xorg-x11-server, specifically in the rrchangeoutputproperty and rrchangeproviderproperty functions, triggered by malicious requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

xorg-server
Version: 21.1.10 (unaffected)
xwayland
Version: 23.2.3 (unaffected)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 & 8
Various versions are affected, with specific version details provided for each.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the affected Xorg-x11-server functions, triggering the integer overflow and potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-6478, it is crucial to take immediate actions and implement long-term security practices. Patching and updates play a key role in addressing this vulnerability effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor official security advisories for patches.
Apply relevant security updates promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and systems to address vulnerabilities promptly.
Implement proper access controls and security configurations.

Patching and Updates

Refer to Red Hat security advisories for specific patches and mitigation guidelines.
Keep the affected software and systems up to date with the latest security updates.