CVE-2023-35001 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Linux Kernel, specifically in the nftables component. It allows for out-of-bounds read/write operations due to the improper handling of vm register contents by the nft_byteorder function when CAP_NET_ADMIN is present in any user or network namespace. With a CVSS score of 7.8, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing affected kernel versions.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive data, leading to integrity, confidentiality, and availability impacts. Given the nature of this vulnerability, attackers may leverage it to escalate privileges, making it crucial for organizations to assess their exposure.
As of now, there are known exploits available for this vulnerability, indicating a pressing need for organizations to implement remediation measures. Given its high severity, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability was published on July 5, 2023, and has been marked as modified. Organizations should review the affected systems and apply the necessary patches to safeguard against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The Linux Kernel nftables Out-Of-Bounds Read/Write Vulnerability is classified under CWE-787. It has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vulnerability affects a range of Linux Kernel versions, specifically from 3.13 up to but not including 4.14.322, and several later versions up to 6.4.4.
Affected products include various distributions such as Debian, Fedora, and hardware from NetApp. For example, vulnerable versions of Debian Linux and Fedora include 11.0 and 37, among others.
The vulnerability was first published on July 5, 2023, and has been identified by the source identifier security@ubuntu.com.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of vm register contents by nft_byteorder, which can lead to out-of-bounds read/write operations. The attack vector is local, requiring low privileges for exploitation, and no user interaction is necessary. This vulnerability has low attack complexity, making it easier for attackers to exploit. The potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of the Linux Kernel are at significant risk. The potential for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive data represents a critical threat. The blast radius of this vulnerability is considerable, as it affects various distributions and hardware systems, indicating widespread exposure.
Given the CVSS score of 7.8, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency is underscored by the fact that known exploits exist, which may lead to active exploitation in the wild.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the Linux kernel from 3.13 to 4.14.322, as well as versions from 4.15 to 4.19.291, 4.20 to 5.4.251, 5.5 to 5.10.188, 5.11 to 5.15.121, 5.16 to 6.1.39, and 6.2 to 6.4.4. Organizations should verify their running kernel versions against these ranges.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must apply the latest patches provided by their respective Linux distributions to remediate this vulnerability. For Debian, patches can be obtained from the Debian security announcements, while Fedora users should refer to their package announcements. In the interim, organizations may consider restricting access to CAP_NET_ADMIN and monitoring network namespaces for unusual activities.
For further guidance on security and vulnerability management, organizations are encouraged to engage in penetration testing to assess their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor log files for any unusual access attempts or system modifications. Behavioral anomalies related to network namespace manipulations should also be flagged for further analysis.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The emergence of CVE-2023-35001 highlights the ongoing challenges in securing the Linux kernel and the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems. This vulnerability not only poses immediate risks but also reflects broader trends in privilege escalation vulnerabilities within critical systems.
Security teams should learn from this incident to enhance their detection mechanisms and vulnerability management strategies. Regular security assessments, such as penetration testing methodology, can help identify and address similar vulnerabilities proactively.
Additionally, organizations should consider investing in vulnerability management programs to enhance their overall security posture and reduce the risk of future vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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