CVE-2023-4162 in Fabric OS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
A segmentation fault can occur in Brocade Fabric OS after Brocade Fabric OS v9.0 and before Brocade Fabric OS v9.2.0a through the passwdcfg command. This could allow an authenticated privileged user local user to crash a Brocade Fabric OS swith using the cli “passwdcfg --set -expire -minDiff“.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4162 represents a critical segmentation fault condition within Brocade Fabric OS versions between v9.0 and v9.2.0a. This flaw specifically manifests through the passwdcfg command interface, where authenticated privileged users can trigger a system crash by executing the cli command "passwdcfg --set -expire -minDiff". The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the password configuration subsystem, creating a condition where malformed or improperly structured parameters can cause the operating system to attempt accessing invalid memory addresses. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with legitimate privileges can exploit this weakness to disrupt fabric operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can severely compromise the reliability and availability of Brocade fabric switches that are critical components in enterprise storage area networks. When exploited, the segmentation fault can cause complete switch downtime, potentially affecting thousands of connected storage devices and applications that depend on uninterrupted fabric connectivity. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in production environments where switch stability is paramount for data integrity and business continuity. Network administrators may face unexpected service interruptions that could cascade into broader system failures, especially in environments where multiple switches operate in coordinated fabric configurations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption attacks through system crashes and hangs, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that leverage the resulting service unavailability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4162 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Brocade Fabric OS versions to v9.2.0a or later, where the segmentation fault has been addressed through improved input validation and memory handling procedures. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor privileged user activities for any suspicious command executions that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that could precede or accompany such crashes. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across all fabric switch infrastructure. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components, particularly those involving command-line interfaces and configuration management systems. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations or automated management workflows.