CVE-2023-22023 in Solaris
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2023
Vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems (component: Device Driver Interface). The supported version that is affected is 11. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where Oracle Solaris executes to compromise Oracle Solaris. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Oracle Solaris. Note: CVE-2023-22023 is equivalent to CVE-2023-31284. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 7.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22023 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Solaris operating system, specifically within the Device Driver Interface component that forms part of the broader Oracle Systems ecosystem. This vulnerability affects Oracle Solaris version 11 and demonstrates characteristics that make it particularly dangerous for system administrators and cybersecurity professionals. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and access to the target system can successfully compromise the entire Solaris environment. The attack vector requires only local access to the system where Oracle Solaris is executing, making it accessible to users who have already gained some level of system access through various means.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses within the Device Driver Interface layer of Oracle Solaris, which serves as a crucial bridge between hardware components and the operating system kernel. This interface handles device driver operations and system interactions that are fundamental to system stability and security. When a flaw exists within this component, it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and system compromise that can bypass traditional security boundaries. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 7.8 reflects the high severity impact across all three core security principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This scoring indicates that successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected Solaris environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22023 extends beyond simple system compromise, as it enables attackers to potentially establish persistent access and conduct further reconnaissance or attacks against network infrastructure. The low privilege requirement means that attackers who have already gained basic system access can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and gain administrative control over the entire Solaris system. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments that rely heavily on Oracle Solaris for critical operations, as the compromise of a single system could potentially provide attackers with access to sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability's equivalence to CVE-2023-31284 indicates that it represents the same underlying flaw, potentially affecting multiple systems and requiring coordinated remediation efforts across affected environments.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques that attackers might employ using this flaw. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory management and buffer overflows that can lead to privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates, conducting thorough system audits to identify potential exploitation attempts, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful compromises. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Oracle Solaris systems are used as servers or database platforms, as these systems often contain sensitive corporate data and serve as critical infrastructure components. Additionally, the vulnerability's impact on availability makes it particularly dangerous for systems where uptime and reliability are mission-critical requirements, potentially causing significant business disruption if exploited successfully.