CVE-2023-22753 in ArubaOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2023
There are buffer overflow vulnerabilities in multiple underlying operating system processes that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets via the PAPI protocol. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities result in the ability to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22753 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple operating system processes that communicate through the PAPI protocol. This flaw exists within the foundational network communication mechanisms of affected systems, creating a pathway for remote attackers to achieve unauthorized code execution without requiring authentication credentials. The PAPI protocol serves as a critical interface for system operations and device management, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from external network positions without prior access to the target environment. The buffer overflow occurs during packet processing within the operating system kernel or system-level processes, where insufficient input validation allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22753 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise capabilities. When successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively gaining root or administrator level access to the compromised system. This privilege escalation occurs because the buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses, function pointers, or other control flow mechanisms within the operating system processes. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter, potentially enabling large-scale attacks against multiple devices simultaneously. Network-based attacks leveraging this vulnerability can be particularly devastating as they require no prior access credentials or physical presence, aligning with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for Exploit Public-Facing Application. The affected operating system processes typically include network services, system daemons, or protocol handlers that process incoming packets through the PAPI interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates how inadequate memory management in system-level code can create persistent security weaknesses. The buffer overflow occurs when the system receives specially crafted packets containing oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space within the PAPI protocol handlers. This condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data, potentially redirecting program execution flow or injecting malicious code into the target system. The attack vector relies on sending malformed packets through the PAPI protocol which is commonly used for system administration, device monitoring, or network management functions. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability affects multiple operating system implementations, suggesting a widespread impact across different vendor platforms and system architectures. The exploitation process typically involves careful crafting of packet structures to ensure that the overflow precisely targets critical memory locations while maintaining system stability to avoid immediate detection. This type of vulnerability represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where network management systems and device monitoring tools are extensively deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22753 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by operating system vendors and device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates as soon as available, particularly focusing on network services and management interfaces that utilize the PAPI protocol. Network segmentation and access control measures can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, limiting the potential attack surface by restricting direct access to affected systems. Monitoring network traffic for anomalous packet patterns or malformed PAPI protocol communications can help detect exploitation attempts, though this approach requires careful tuning to avoid false positives. Security teams should also implement intrusion detection systems with signatures specifically targeting the vulnerable packet structures associated with this vulnerability. The implementation of input validation controls and bounds checking within system processes can provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems that utilize the PAPI protocol, ensuring complete coverage of potential attack vectors. Regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify additional weaknesses that may compound the risk from this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to avoid potential system instability or compatibility issues.