CVE-2023-2871 in USB for Remote Desktop
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2023
A vulnerability was found in FabulaTech USB for Remote Desktop 6.1.0.0. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function 0x220448/0x220420/0x22040c/0x220408 of the component IoControlCode Handler. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. The attack needs to be approached locally. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-229850 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2023
This vulnerability exists within FabulaTech USB for Remote Desktop version 6.1.0.0 and represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw in the IoControlCode Handler component. The affected functions 0x220448, 0x220420, 0x22040c, and 0x220408 demonstrate a fundamental programming error where the software fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to access memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system crashes or potentially arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level through device control codes, making it accessible through legitimate system interfaces that applications and users might invoke during normal operation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires local system access, meaning an attacker must already have the ability to execute code on the target machine or possess physical access to the system. This local privilege requirement does not mitigate the severity of the issue, as it can be exploited by malicious actors who have already gained a foothold through other means such as phishing attacks, social engineering, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The fact that this exploit has been publicly disclosed and is available for use significantly increases the risk profile, as it removes the element of zero-day advantage that would typically make such vulnerabilities more dangerous. The vulnerability's presence in a remote desktop solution makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as null pointer dereferences can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or cause system crashes that could be exploited for privilege escalation attacks. According to ATT&CK framework category T1068, this vulnerability could enable an attacker to exploit local privilege escalation techniques by manipulating the kernel-level device handler to gain elevated system privileges. The IoControlCode Handler functions represent the interface between user-mode applications and kernel-mode drivers, making them prime targets for exploitation. When these handlers fail to properly validate input parameters, they can be manipulated to cause the kernel to attempt operations on invalid memory addresses, leading to system instability or potential code execution. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts suggests either limited resources for patch development or insufficient recognition of the vulnerability's severity, leaving users exposed to potential exploitation without official remediation.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling unnecessary USB device functionality, restricting local access to systems running this software, and monitoring for anomalous system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a null pointer dereference makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through buffer overflow techniques or by crafting malicious input parameters that cause the driver to dereference uninitialized or freed memory pointers. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as soon as vendor updates become available, while also implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. The public disclosure of this vulnerability means that attackers are actively seeking targets, making immediate action essential for protecting network infrastructure from potential compromise.