CVE-2023-1157 in elf-parser
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in finixbit elf-parser. Affected is the function elf_parser::Elf_parser::get_segments of the file elf_parser.cpp. The manipulation leads to denial of service. Local access is required to approach this attack. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Continious delivery with rolling releases is used by this product. Therefore, no version details of affected nor updated releases are available. VDB-222222 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1157 represents a denial of service flaw within the finixbit elf-parser library, specifically affecting the elf_parser::Elf_parser::get_segments function in elf_parser.cpp. This issue falls under the category of software reliability failures that can compromise system availability and operational continuity. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates significant security implications that require immediate attention from system administrators and developers. The flaw manifests through a manipulation vector that targets the core parsing functionality of the library, potentially causing system instability or complete service interruption when exploited.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of input data within the elf_parser::Elf_parser::get_segments function, which processes executable and linkable format segments. This type of flaw typically occurs when the parser fails to adequately validate or sanitize input parameters before processing them, creating opportunities for malformed data to cause unexpected behavior. The vulnerability requires local access for exploitation, indicating that attackers must already have system-level privileges or physical access to the target environment to trigger the denial of service condition. This local requirement somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, particularly in environments where privilege escalation opportunities exist or where the library is used in critical system components.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise continuous delivery workflows that rely on rolling releases. The affected product's use of continuous delivery with rolling releases creates a challenging scenario where vulnerability remediation may be difficult to track and implement consistently across all deployment environments. The absence of specific version details for affected or updated releases complicates the vulnerability assessment process and makes it challenging for organizations to determine their exposure level. This lack of clear version information also suggests potential gaps in the vendor's vulnerability disclosure practices and may indicate a broader issue with software supply chain security management.
The public disclosure of this exploit significantly increases the risk profile for affected systems, as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring specialized knowledge or tools. This vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns found in the attack tactic of privilege escalation and system compromise, as documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where local exploitation often serves as a stepping stone for broader system infiltration. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and evaluate their current security controls to ensure adequate protection against local privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation and robust error handling in security-critical libraries, as outlined in CWE categories related to improper input validation and resource management failures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1157 should prioritize immediate vulnerability assessment across all systems utilizing the finixbit elf-parser library. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management procedures to address the flaw as soon as vendor updates become available, even if specific version information is currently unavailable. System administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where local access is possible. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper software supply chain security practices, including regular vulnerability scanning, dependency monitoring, and maintaining up-to-date security patches. Additionally, organizations should review their continuous delivery workflows to ensure that vulnerability remediation processes are integrated into their automated deployment pipelines, preventing the deployment of vulnerable software versions into production environments.