CVE-2023-45840 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 `riscv64-elf-toolchain` package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-45840 represents a critical data integrity flaw within Buildroot's package hash checking mechanism, specifically affecting versions 2023.08.1 and the development commit 622698d7847. This issue arises from insufficient validation of cryptographic hashes during package verification processes, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate build artifacts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the riscv64-elf-toolchain package, which serves as a fundamental component in embedded systems development and device firmware creation. The flaw stems from the improper implementation of hash verification routines that fail to adequately authenticate downloaded packages before integration into the build environment. This weakness creates a window for man-in-the-middle attackers to substitute legitimate packages with malicious counterparts while maintaining the appearance of valid cryptographic signatures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the cryptographic integrity checking protocol that should ensure package authenticity. When Buildroot downloads packages from remote repositories, it relies on hash values to verify that the downloaded content matches the expected reference. However, the flaw allows attackers to inject modified packages that pass the hash verification process due to insufficient validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically impacts the riscv64-elf-toolchain package, which is essential for cross-compilation processes targeting riscv64 architecture systems. This package contains critical toolchain components including compilers, linkers, and system libraries that form the foundation of embedded system development. The attack vector exploits the trust model inherent in the build process, where the system assumes that downloaded packages are authentic and have not been tampered with during transit.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-45840 extends beyond simple code execution, creating potential for complete system compromise within development environments. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary commands on the builder system with the privileges of the build process. This arbitrary command execution capability enables attackers to modify the build environment, inject malicious code into the toolchain, or establish persistent backdoors within the development infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe for organizations that rely on Buildroot for firmware development, as compromised toolchains can result in malicious code being embedded into production devices. The vulnerability affects not just individual developers but entire development teams and supply chains, potentially compromising thousands of devices if infected toolchains are distributed to multiple systems.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-45840 require immediate attention from affected organizations through multiple layers of defensive measures. The primary recommendation involves updating to patched versions of Buildroot that address the hash verification implementation flaws and strengthen cryptographic validation processes. Organizations should implement additional network security controls including secure DNS resolution, certificate pinning, and traffic inspection to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper verification of cryptographic signatures, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving supply chain compromise and privilege escalation. System administrators should also consider implementing build isolation mechanisms, monitoring for unauthorized package modifications, and establishing secure baseline configurations for all development environments. Regular security audits of build systems and package repositories become essential to detect potential compromise indicators. The remediation process must include comprehensive verification of all downloaded packages and implementation of multi-factor authentication for package repository access to prevent unauthorized modifications to the build infrastructure.