CVE-2023-40462 in ALEOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2023
The ACEManager component of ALEOS 4.16 and earlier does not perform input sanitization during authentication, which could potentially result in a Denial of Service (DoS) condition for ACEManager without impairing other router functions. ACEManager recovers from the DoS condition by restarting within ten seconds of becoming unavailable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The CVE-2023-40462 vulnerability affects the ACEManager component within ALEOS 4.16 and earlier versions, representing a significant security flaw that undermines system availability. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization during the authentication process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's authentication mechanism. The affected ACEManager component serves as a critical subsystem within the router's architecture, handling authentication requests and managing access controls for various network functions. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user inputs during authentication attempts, potentially allowing crafted malicious inputs to trigger unexpected behavior within the authentication module.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation that aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security. When authentication requests are processed without adequate sanitization, the system becomes susceptible to inputs that can cause the ACEManager component to enter an unstable state. The DoS condition occurs because the authentication module cannot properly handle malformed or specially crafted inputs, leading to resource exhaustion or state corruption that renders the authentication service unavailable. This vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the authentication mechanism that governs access to router management functions and services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the system's recovery mechanism. The ACEManager component's automatic recovery process, which involves restarting within ten seconds of becoming unavailable, introduces a potential attack vector for sustained disruption attempts. During the restart period, the router maintains its core network functions, but the authentication service becomes temporarily inaccessible, creating a window where legitimate users cannot authenticate while the system recovers. This behavior creates a predictable pattern that attackers can exploit for repeated DoS attacks, potentially leading to cumulative service degradation or resource exhaustion over time. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects a core component responsible for access control and authentication, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to ALEOS versions beyond 4.16 where the vulnerability has been addressed, network segmentation to isolate critical router components, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a specific implementation of the broader concept of service disruption through authentication manipulation. Security teams should also consider implementing rate limiting and input validation controls at network boundaries to prevent exploitation attempts from reaching the vulnerable component. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components that might present similar attack vectors.