CVE-2024-23744 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record details a vulnerability discovered in Mbed TLS 3.5.1 that can lead to persistent handshake denial if a client sends a TLS 1.3 ClientHello without extensions.

Understanding CVE-2024-23744

This section will delve into the specifics of CVE-2024-23744, discussing what it is, the impact it can have, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2024-23744?

CVE-2024-23744 is an issue identified in Mbed TLS 3.5.1 where a persistent handshake denial occurs when a client sends a TLS 1.3 ClientHello message without extensions. This vulnerability can potentially disrupt the secure handshake process between a client and a server.

The Impact of CVE-2024-23744

The impact of CVE-2024-23744 lies in its ability to cause persistent handshake denial, potentially leading to failed or disrupted secure connections between clients and servers utilizing Mbed TLS 3.5.1.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-23744

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2024-23744, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Mbed TLS 3.5.1 results in persistent handshake denial when a client transmits a TLS 1.3 ClientHello message without extensions, impacting the handshake process essential for secure communication.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of Mbed TLS 3.5.1 are affected by this vulnerability, putting systems utilizing this specific version at risk of experiencing persistent handshake denial under the described conditions.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2024-23744 involves a specific scenario where a client fails to include extensions in the TLS 1.3 ClientHello message, triggering the persistent handshake denial within Mbed TLS 3.5.1.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on recommended steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2024-23744, ensuring system security and integrity.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2024-23744, it is advised to update Mbed TLS to a patched version that resolves the persistent handshake denial issue. Additionally, implementing proper TLS configurations and ensuring Extension providing a list of extensions that are required at the client-side can help prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security audits and updates, ensuring that all software and libraries, including Mbed TLS, are kept up to date with the latest patches and security enhancements. Employing secure coding practices and staying informed about known vulnerabilities can also enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Software maintainers should swiftly release patches addressing CVE-2024-23744 to mitigate the risk of persistent handshake denial. Users and administrators are advised to apply these patches promptly to safeguard their systems against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.