CVE-2023-45841 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 `versal-firmware` package.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45841 represents a critical data integrity flaw within Buildroot's package hash checking mechanism that affects versions 2023.08.1 and the development commit 622698d7847. This weakness specifically impacts the `versal-firmware` package and creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the build system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of package checksums during the build process, which allows malicious actors to manipulate package contents without detection.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the package verification phase where Buildroot relies on hash values to ensure package integrity. When a man-in-the-middle attack successfully intercepts package downloads, the system fails to properly validate the integrity checks, allowing modified package contents to be accepted. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and trust validation that should be maintained throughout the build process. The vulnerability operates at the software supply chain level, where attackers can compromise package repositories and inject malicious code that appears legitimate due to the failed hash verification mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire build environments and the downstream systems that depend on these builds. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject backdoors, modify firmware components, or introduce other malicious payloads that persist through the build lifecycle. The `versal-firmware` package specifically targets Xilinx Versal architecture firmware components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for embedded systems and hardware platforms that rely on secure firmware updates. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple downstream consumers of the build artifacts, potentially compromising the security of deployed devices.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including strengthening the package verification process with multiple validation layers, enforcing strict certificate pinning for package repositories, and implementing network-level controls to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which addresses improper certificate validation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1553.004 for Valid Code Signing Certificates. Organizations should also consider implementing continuous monitoring of package repositories, enforcing signed packages, and establishing secure build environments that isolate package verification from untrusted networks. The recommended approach includes upgrading to patched versions of Buildroot, implementing robust network segmentation, and establishing comprehensive supply chain security controls that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security posture considerations.