CVE-2023-28812 in LocalServiceComponents
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2023
There is a buffer overflow vulnerability in a web browser plug-in could allow an attacker to exploit the vulnerability by sending crafted messages to computers installed with this plug-in, which could lead to arbitrary code execution or cause process exception of the plug-in.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within a web browser plugin ecosystem that fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the plugin's codebase, creating a condition where maliciously crafted data can exceed allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. Such flaws typically arise from legacy code patterns that fail to implement proper bounds checking mechanisms, making them particularly dangerous in browser environments where plugins execute with elevated privileges and have direct access to system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns that align with common attack vectors documented in the attack mitigation framework. An attacker can craft malicious messages specifically designed to trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially through crafted web content, file attachments, or network communications that the vulnerable plugin processes. When the plugin attempts to handle this malformed input, the overflow can corrupt critical memory structures including return addresses, function pointers, or control data, enabling arbitrary code execution within the context of the plugin process. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can also manifest as CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow, depending on the specific implementation details of the plugin's memory management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be leveraged for sophisticated compromise operations. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the plugin process, which often includes elevated system permissions due to the nature of browser plugins. This can lead to complete system compromise through privilege escalation techniques, data exfiltration, or installation of persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where browser plugins are commonly deployed for specific business functions, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers to establish footholds within network perimeters.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues from emerging in future plugin implementations. The primary recommendation involves immediate patching of affected plugin versions through official vendor updates, which typically include memory boundary checks, input sanitization, and proper error handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive plugin management policies that restrict the installation and execution of third-party plugins, particularly those that provide direct system access or network capabilities. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth layers to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following established security frameworks such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST guidelines for memory safety in application development, which directly address the root causes of buffer overflow vulnerabilities through proper input validation and memory management protocols.