CVE-2023-0779 in zephyr
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2023
At the most basic level, an invalid pointer can be input that crashes the device, but with more knowledge of the device’s memory layout, further exploitation is possible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0779 represents a critical memory safety issue that manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within device firmware or software components. This weakness allows attackers to submit malformed pointer values that trigger unexpected behavior in the targeted system. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level where input validation fails to properly sanitize pointer references, creating an avenue for both denial of service and potential privilege escalation scenarios. The flaw specifically resides in how the system processes memory references, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to disrupt normal device operations or gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory validation procedures within the device's code execution environment. When an invalid pointer is submitted, the system's memory management unit fails to properly handle the malformed reference, resulting in immediate system instability or complete crash conditions. This behavior aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-476 which addresses null pointer dereference issues. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases significantly when attackers possess detailed knowledge of the device's memory layout, enabling them to craft more sophisticated attack payloads that can manipulate memory addresses beyond simple crash conditions.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of CVE-2023-0779 extends beyond simple system disruption to potentially enable advanced persistent threats against affected devices. The ability to crash devices creates opportunities for denial of service attacks that can render systems unavailable to legitimate users, while the memory layout knowledge aspect opens pathways for more complex exploitation techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects embedded systems and IoT devices where memory management is critical and resources are limited. The attack surface is broad as it can be exploited across various device types including network appliances, industrial control systems, and consumer electronics where memory corruption vulnerabilities are prevalent.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.001 technique for command and control communications and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Security professionals should consider implementing comprehensive memory protection mechanisms including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata protection to mitigate against such vulnerabilities. The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate firmware updates from vendors, implementation of input validation controls, and deployment of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous pointer behavior patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their embedded systems to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist within their device portfolios.
The broader implications of CVE-2023-0779 highlight the critical importance of memory safety in embedded systems and IoT environments where traditional security measures may be insufficient. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly simple input validation failures can create significant security risks that extend far beyond immediate system stability concerns. Organizations must prioritize secure coding practices and regular security testing to prevent such memory corruption vulnerabilities from being exploited in real-world scenarios. The complexity of modern device architectures means that even minor flaws in memory management can create substantial security risks that require comprehensive defensive strategies including both preventive measures and responsive security protocols.