CVE-2023-4156 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in the Gawk package of Red Hat, specifically a heap out-of-bounds read flaw located in builtin.c. This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially cause a crash or read sensitive information from the affected system. The severity of this issue, coupled with its exploitation potential, necessitates a prompt response from affected organizations.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.4, categorized as medium severity. Affected systems may experience significant risks, particularly in environments where sensitive data is processed. While the exploitation status is not classified as actively exploited, organizations remain vulnerable until appropriate remediation steps are taken.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The publication date for this vulnerability is September 25, 2023, making it crucial for organizations relying on the affected Gawk package to take corrective actions without delay.
The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems and the need for robust security practices in managing software dependencies.
Vulnerability Details
According to the official description, a heap out-of-bounds read flaw was found in builtin.c in the Gawk package. This issue may lead to a crash and could be used to read sensitive information. The CWE classification for this vulnerability is CWE-125.
This vulnerability affects Gawk versions prior to 5.1.1, as well as Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 6.0 and 7.0, and Fedora version 38.
The CVSS score provided by the NVD is 7.1, indicating a high severity classification based on its potential impact on confidentiality and availability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations in the Gawk package, which can lead to a heap-based buffer overflow. The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, requiring either the attacker to have local access to the system or the ability to execute code with user interaction.
The attack complexity is categorized as low, meaning that an exploitation attempt is likely to succeed with minimal effort. Privileges required to exploit this vulnerability are none, which amplifies the risk for systems with exposed Gawk installations.
The user interaction required is marked as required, indicating that an attacker may need to persuade a user to execute malicious commands or scripts. The impact on confidentiality is rated as low, while integrity impact is none, and availability impact is low.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations deploying Gawk in critical applications face real-world risks, particularly those handling sensitive data or operating in environments requiring strict data integrity and availability. The potential for sensitive information exposure or system crashes necessitates immediate attention to this vulnerability.
The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to any system running the affected versions of Gawk, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or Fedora. Organizations should consider the implications of an exploit and evaluate their patching schedules accordingly.
Given the CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The medium severity indicates that while it may not be an immediate threat, it poses significant risks that warrant timely remediation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected by this vulnerability: Gawk versions prior to 5.1.1, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 and 7.0, and Fedora 38.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. It is recommended to update to the latest version of Gawk that addresses this vulnerability. If an upgrade is not possible, consider implementing workarounds, such as restricting access to the vulnerable components and monitoring for unusual behavior.
For further assistance, organizations can consult the penetration testing services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected crashes or attempts to read sensitive files. Behavioral anomalies in applications using Gawk should also be logged and reviewed regularly.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-4156 highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in security practices, especially as software dependencies become increasingly complex. This vulnerability exemplifies the potential risks associated with memory management flaws.
Security teams should remain aware of patterns in vulnerabilities that arise from improper memory handling, as these can lead to severe consequences in production environments. Regular training and updating of security protocols are essential measures.
To stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities, organizations are encouraged to follow best practices outlined in our penetration testing methodology resources.
Additionally, reviewing the vulnerability management program design can provide insights into maintaining a secure environment.
Finally, understanding the implications of this vulnerability will assist in developing a strategic defensive takeaway for future vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)