Bouncy Castle for Java before version 1.73 contains a potential Denial of Service (DoS) issue within the Bouncy Castle org.bouncycastle.openssl.PEMParser class. This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate OpenSSL PEM encoded streams containing X.509 certificates, PKCS8 encoded keys, and PKCS7 objects. Specifically, parsing a file with crafted ASN.1 data through the PEMParser can trigger an OutOfMemoryError, resulting in a denial of service attack.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a moderate level of risk. This risk is particularly relevant for users of the FIPS Java API, affecting versions BC-FJA 1.0.2.3 and earlier, while BC-FJA 1.0.2.4 has addressed this issue.
Organizations relying on Bouncy Castle for Java should be aware of this vulnerability and prioritize remediation efforts. The potential for exploitation is significant, as it could lead to service disruptions that affect application availability.
Immediate action is advised for organizations to protect their systems from potential attacks that could leverage this vulnerability. Patching to the latest version is the most effective mitigation strategy.
Vulnerability Details
The CVE-2023-33202 vulnerability is characterized as a Denial of Service (DoS) issue, primarily impacting the Bouncy Castle library used for cryptographic operations in Java applications. The vulnerability is rooted in the inability of the PEMParser class to handle certain malformed ASN.1 data, which can result in excessive memory consumption.
The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates a medium severity level, characterized by a local attack vector, low attack complexity, no required privileges, and user interaction necessary for exploitation. The impact on availability is assessed as high, with no confidentiality or integrity impact.
This vulnerability affects Bouncy Castle for Java prior to version 1.73 and the FIPS Java API up to version 1.0.2.3. Users are encouraged to upgrade to the latest versions to mitigate the risk.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-33202 stems from improper handling of ASN.1 data during the parsing process in the PEMParser class. This oversight allows crafted input to consume excessive memory, leading to an OutOfMemoryError and ultimately causing the application to become unresponsive.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the application environment to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is considered low, as it requires no special privileges and only basic user interaction to trigger the condition.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, as it primarily disrupts availability. Organizations using affected versions of Bouncy Castle should monitor their systems for any signs of exploitation attempts.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service outages, which could significantly disrupt operations. Given the medium severity of this vulnerability, it is essential for organizations to assess their exposure and take proactive measures. The potential blast radius could affect any application utilizing the Bouncy Castle library, making this a critical issue to address.
With a low EPSS score of 0.00159, the likelihood of exploit is relatively low; however, the impact of a successful attack could be severe, emphasizing the need for timely remediation. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to prevent any potential disruptions.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Bouncy Castle for Java prior to version 1.73 and FIPS Java API versions prior to 1.0.2.4 are affected. Organizations should ensure that they are using the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Upgrade to Bouncy Castle for Java version 1.73 or later and FIPS Java API version 1.0.2.4 or later to resolve this issue. If upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing workarounds such as input validation to mitigate potential denial of service attacks.
For additional assistance and recommendations, organizations can consult resources on penetration testing and security assessments.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for any unusual behavior related to memory usage and application crashes. Implement network controls to limit access to the application, and consider establishing alerts for potential parsing operations that may trigger the vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the need for organizations to maintain robust security measures when utilizing open-source libraries like Bouncy Castle. Regular updates and vulnerability assessments are essential to mitigate risks associated with library dependencies.
Security teams should also be aware of patterns in vulnerabilities related to memory management and input validation in cryptographic libraries. The lessons learned from CVE-2023-33202 can inform better practices in secure coding and library usage.
For further reading on enhancing application security, organizations can refer to the following resources: penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management program design, and API penetration testing to strengthen defenses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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