CVE-2023-45839 in Buildroot
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2023
Multiple data integrity vulnerabilities exist in the package hash checking functionality of Buildroot 2023.08.1 and Buildroot dev commit 622698d7847. A specially crafted man-in-the-middle attack can lead to arbitrary command execution in the builder.This vulnerability is related to the `aufs-util` package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45839 represents a critical data integrity flaw within Buildroot's package hash checking mechanisms, specifically affecting versions 2023.08.1 and the development commit 622698d7847. This issue manifests through the `aufs-util` package's handling of package verification processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the build environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of package integrity checks that occur during the build process, allowing attackers to manipulate package contents without detection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the hash verification logic that governs how Buildroot validates downloaded packages against expected cryptographic checksums. When a man-in-the-middle attack occurs during package download, the flawed verification mechanism fails to properly detect tampered package contents, enabling attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the builder environment. This represents a classic supply chain attack vector where the compromise occurs at the package validation stage rather than during runtime execution, making it particularly insidious.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any system relying on Buildroot for embedded system development. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the build environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack requires only a man-in-the-middle position to intercept and modify package downloads, making it relatively accessible to threat actors with network access to the build infrastructure.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1583.001 for developing capabilities and T1059.001 for command and script injection. The flaw demonstrates how inadequate input validation and cryptographic verification can create persistent security weaknesses in build systems. Organizations using Buildroot for embedded development are particularly at risk since the vulnerability allows attackers to compromise the entire build process, potentially affecting multiple downstream systems that depend on the compromised build outputs.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of Buildroot, implementing robust network security controls to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, and enhancing monitoring of build environments for suspicious command execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional verification layers beyond the default hash checking, such as digital signature verification of packages and network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attackers. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date build toolchains and implementing comprehensive security measures throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly in embedded system environments where the attack surface can be significantly expanded through compromised build processes.