CVE-2023-41299 in EMUI
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2023
DoS vulnerability in the PMS module. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may cause the system to restart.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2023
The CVE-2023-41299 vulnerability represents a denial of service flaw within the PMS module of a software system, specifically designed to trigger unauthorized system restarts upon successful exploitation. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of denial of service attacks that can severely disrupt system availability and operational continuity. The PMS module typically handles critical system processes and resource management functions, making its compromise particularly dangerous for maintaining stable system operations. According to CWE-400, this vulnerability aligns with the classification of unspecified denial of service conditions where an attacker can cause a system to become unavailable through various means including forced restarts. The attack vector likely involves sending specially crafted inputs or commands to the PMS module that trigger an unhandled exception or resource exhaustion condition leading to involuntary system reboot.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability suggests that the PMS module lacks proper input validation and error handling mechanisms when processing specific data patterns or commands. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the system to enter an unstable state where normal operations cease and the system automatically reboots to recover from what appears to be a critical system failure. This behavior typically occurs when malicious input triggers an interrupt or exception handler that is configured to initiate system restart rather than gracefully handle the error condition. The exploitation process may involve sending malformed packets, executing specific API calls, or manipulating module parameters in ways that bypass normal validation checks. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of robust error recovery mechanisms and insufficient security controls within the module's processing logic, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged by adversaries to disrupt service availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41299 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise system integrity and availability in production environments. Organizations relying on systems with this vulnerability face risks of scheduled maintenance disruptions, loss of operational continuity, and potential data integrity issues during unexpected restart events. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in mission-critical systems where system uptime is essential for business operations, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to cause service disruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and potentially T1566.001 for initial access through exploitation of vulnerable modules. The restart behavior can also be leveraged as a means to obscure malicious activities or create additional disruption during ongoing operations, making it a particularly concerning vulnerability for cybersecurity teams managing critical infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41299 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation, robust error handling, and system-level protections to prevent unauthorized restart triggers. Organizations must ensure that the PMS module includes proper bounds checking, input sanitization, and exception handling routines that prevent malformed inputs from causing system restarts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and monitoring solutions can help identify exploitation attempts before they succeed in causing system disruptions. Security patches and updates should be applied immediately to address the underlying code flaws that allow the vulnerability to exist. Additionally, system administrators should implement access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of the vulnerable module to untrusted networks. According to industry best practices and NIST guidelines, organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other system modules that may present comparable risks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and defensive programming techniques that prevent system-level disruptions through proper error handling and resource management.