CVE-2023-0217 is a high-severity vulnerability found in OpenSSL, specifically affecting versions from 3.0.0 to 3.0.7. This vulnerability allows an invalid pointer dereference on read to occur when an application tries to check a malformed DSA public key using the EVP_PKEY_public_check() function. This situation can lead to application crashes, posing a risk of denial of service attacks, especially when public keys are sourced from untrusted entities.
The TLS implementation in OpenSSL does not directly invoke this function, but applications may call it if additional security requirements, like those imposed by FIPS 140-3, are in place. As such, the risk to organizations is significant, particularly for those relying on OpenSSL for secure communications.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability falls into the high-severity category, indicating that organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle. Failure to patch could lead to a compromised availability of services, especially if exploited by malicious actors.
Currently, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the potential impact remains high, and organizations are urged to monitor for updates and apply the necessary patches when available.
Organizations using affected versions of OpenSSL should prioritize remediation efforts as part of their security strategy.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is characterized by an invalid pointer dereference that can be triggered when the EVP_PKEY_public_check() function is called on a malformed DSA public key. The function does not handle such cases effectively, which could lead to an application crash.
The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high severity level, with an attack vector of NETWORK, low attack complexity, and no privileges required for exploitation. The vulnerability impacts availability significantly, which means that it can lead to service interruptions.
The affected product is OpenSSL, specifically versions 3.0.0 through 3.0.7, and the vulnerability has been classified under CWE-476.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of malformed DSA public keys within the EVP_PKEY_public_check() function. When this function is invoked, it does not properly validate the integrity of the key, which can lead to an invalid pointer dereference.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit the vulnerability remotely without physical access to the system. The complexity of the attack is low, as no special privileges or user interaction are required. This makes it easier for potential attackers to leverage the vulnerability.
The impact on availability is significant, as the vulnerability may lead to application crashes, disrupting services. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal, as the vulnerability does not affect data confidentiality or integrity.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions due to application crashes triggered by this vulnerability. The blast radius could include any application utilizing OpenSSL for cryptographic operations, particularly those that accept DSA public keys from untrusted sources.
Given the nature of the vulnerability and its high CVSS score, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks. Ensuring that all applications are utilizing the latest secure versions of OpenSSL is essential to maintaining operational integrity.
Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual behaviors that could indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability, as the potential for attack exists despite the lack of known exploits at this time.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of OpenSSL are from 3.0.0 to 3.0.7. Organizations using these versions are advised to upgrade to the latest version to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must patch their OpenSSL installations to the latest version to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, consider implementing configuration hardening measures to minimize exposure.
In addition, organizations should review their code to ensure that public keys are validated adequately before being processed.
Penetration testing should be conducted regularly to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure the overall security posture is robust.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any anomalies that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Specific indicators may include unexpected application crashes or unusual patterns of public key submissions.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-0217 lies in its potential to disrupt services in applications relying on OpenSSL for cryptographic operations. Security teams should recognize the patterns in vulnerabilities of this nature that often arise from improper input validation.
This incident highlights the need for rigorous security practices, including regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs.
Vulnerability management program design is crucial for ensuring that systems remain resilient against such vulnerabilities.
Organizations should also consider adopting a penetration testing methodology to proactively identify and address these types of vulnerabilities.
Finally, integrating security into the development lifecycle is essential for minimizing risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0217.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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