CVE-2023-22652 in libeconf
Summary
by MITRE • 06/01/2023
A Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') vulnerability in openSUSE libeconf leads to DoS via malformed config files. This issue affects libeconf: before 0.5.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22652 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within the openSUSE libeconf library, which serves as a configuration file parsing utility. This flaw manifests when the library processes malformed configuration files without proper input size validation, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully crafted input data. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a classic buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within libeconf's configuration file parsing routines where input data from configuration files is copied into fixed-size buffers without adequate size verification. When an attacker supplies a configuration file containing oversized input data, the library fails to validate the input length against the buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can trigger a denial of service condition. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous in system-level libraries like libeconf that are frequently invoked by various system components during normal operation, making the impact more widespread than typical application-level vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22652 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially be exploited to cause system crashes or restarts that disrupt critical services. Systems relying on libeconf for configuration management may experience cascading failures when the library encounters malformed input, particularly in environments where configuration files are dynamically generated or sourced from untrusted inputs. This vulnerability affects all versions of libeconf prior to 0.5.2, indicating that organizations running older versions are exposed to potential exploitation. The attack surface is broad since libeconf is used across multiple openSUSE distributions and potentially other systems that depend on this library for configuration handling.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on updating to libeconf version 0.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable versions of libeconf and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for configuration files, employing sandboxing techniques for configuration file processing, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous configuration file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, as the exploitation can potentially lead to system instability and service disruption, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity teams responsible for maintaining system availability and integrity.