CVE-2023-45862 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
An issue was discovered in drivers/usb/storage/ene_ub6250.c for the ENE UB6250 reader driver in the Linux kernel before 6.2.5. An object could potentially extend beyond the end of an allocation.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45862 resides within the ENE UB6250 reader driver component of the Linux kernel, specifically in the drivers/usb/storage/ene_ub6250.c file. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when handling data structures within the USB storage driver framework. The issue affects Linux kernel versions prior to 6.2.5, making it a significant concern for systems running older kernel versions that have not yet received the necessary security patches. The vulnerability manifests when the driver processes certain USB storage device communications, potentially allowing for memory corruption scenarios that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the driver's memory management routines. When the ENE UB6250 driver receives data from a USB storage device, it allocates memory buffers to store this information. However, the driver fails to adequately validate the size of incoming data against the allocated buffer boundaries, creating a condition where data can overflow beyond the intended memory allocation. This memory corruption occurs at the kernel level, meaning that exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation or system instability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-45862 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks within the Linux kernel environment. An attacker with physical access to a system or the ability to present a malicious USB storage device could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where USB devices are frequently used for data transfer and where the kernel version may not be regularly updated. The vulnerability could be leveraged in supply chain attacks or through social engineering tactics that involve USB drop attacks, where attackers place infected USB devices in locations where unsuspecting users might plug them into systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1059.007 for kernel shellcode execution and T1547.001 for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45862 primarily focus on immediate kernel version updates to 6.2.5 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those handling USB storage devices or operating in environments where USB devices are frequently connected. Additionally, implementing USB device whitelisting policies can help reduce the attack surface by restricting which USB devices can be connected to systems. The Linux kernel security team recommends that organizations monitor their kernel versions regularly and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel module signing and secure boot mechanisms to prevent unauthorized kernel module loading that could potentially exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current kernel versions and the potential consequences of running outdated operating system components in security-sensitive environments.