CVE-2023-22754 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-2023-22754 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within essential operating system processes that operates through the PAPI protocol. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the system's network processing components, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to craft malicious packets designed to trigger memory corruption. The PAPI protocol serves as a foundational communication mechanism within the operating system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it targets core infrastructure components rather than isolated applications. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially manipulate program execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote code execution capabilities that bypass traditional authentication mechanisms, allowing attackers to gain privileged access to the underlying operating system. When specially crafted packets are transmitted through the PAPI protocol, they trigger the buffer overflow condition in memory management routines that handle network packet processing. The overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow to malicious code payloads. This particular vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow adversaries to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The attack vector operates entirely over network protocols without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22754 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent access to affected systems, escalate privileges beyond the initial compromise, and potentially use the compromised systems as launch points for further attacks against networked infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple underlying operating system processes, meaning that a single exploitation attempt could compromise various system functions simultaneously, potentially leading to widespread service disruption or data compromise. Organizations running affected systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, system integrity compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where the affected operating systems handle critical infrastructure or sensitive information processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22754 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from vendors, as this vulnerability represents a high-severity threat requiring urgent attention. Network segmentation and firewall rule implementation can help reduce attack surface by restricting PAPI protocol access to only trusted network segments. Monitoring network traffic for anomalous PAPI protocol usage patterns may help detect exploitation attempts, though this approach provides reactive rather than preventive protection. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strict input validation controls, and employing address space layout randomization can reduce exploit reliability. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection capabilities specifically targeting the vulnerable PAPI protocol patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive incident response planning, including system isolation procedures, forensic analysis capabilities, and recovery protocols to address potential compromise scenarios. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems potentially affected by this vulnerability and establish monitoring procedures to detect any exploitation attempts.