CVE-2023-28903 in Volkswagen MIB3 Infotainment System MIB3 OI MQB
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2025
An integer overflow in the image processing binary of the MIB3 infotainment unit allows an attacker with local access to the vehicle to cause a denial-of-service of the infotainment system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28903 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the image processing binary component of the MIB3 infotainment system found in modern vehicles. This specific weakness exists in the software responsible for handling multimedia content and image rendering within the vehicle's entertainment infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow handling within the binary processing routines that manage image data manipulation and display operations. Such flaws are particularly concerning in automotive environments where infotainment systems serve as central control hubs for vehicle operations and user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the image processing binary receives malformed or excessively large image data inputs that cause integer overflow conditions during arithmetic operations. When the system attempts to process image dimensions, pixel counts, or memory allocation calculations, the integer variables exceed their maximum representable values, leading to unexpected behavior and system instability. This overflow condition creates a scenario where the system's memory management becomes corrupted, potentially causing the entire infotainment subsystem to crash or become unresponsive. The vulnerability specifically affects the MIB3 infotainment unit's ability to handle image data properly, making it susceptible to controlled input manipulation that triggers the overflow condition.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to vehicle availability and user experience within automotive environments. An attacker with local physical access to the vehicle can exploit this flaw to initiate a denial-of-service attack against the infotainment system, rendering the display and multimedia functionality inaccessible to the driver and passengers. The impact extends beyond simple inconvenience as the infotainment system often serves as a gateway for other vehicle functions and may be integrated with navigation, communication, and safety systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the vehicle's operational integrity and could potentially compromise the driver's ability to access critical information or perform necessary vehicle functions during operation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation through local access and service stoppage or denial-of-service attacks. From a CWE perspective, this represents a classic integer overflow issue classified under CWE-190, which deals with integer overflow or wraparound conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor software engineering practices in input validation and arithmetic operation handling, particularly in embedded automotive systems where reliability and safety are paramount. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms, proper integer overflow detection, and comprehensive testing procedures to prevent such issues from manifesting in production systems. Mitigation strategies include firmware updates, input sanitization measures, and enhanced runtime monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers should consider implementing secure coding practices and automated vulnerability scanning during development phases to identify and address similar integer overflow conditions before deployment.