CVE-2023-45919 in mesa
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
Mesa 23.0.4 was discovered to contain a buffer over-read in glXQueryServerString(). NOTE: this is disputed because there are no common situations in which users require uninterrupted operation with an attacker-controller server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-45919 affects Mesa 23.0.4, an open-source graphics library that provides OpenGL and other graphics APIs for Linux systems. This issue manifests as a buffer over-read within the glXQueryServerString() function, which is part of the X Window System's OpenGL extension implementation. The flaw occurs when the graphics library processes server string queries, potentially leading to memory access violations that could compromise system stability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which represents an out-of-bounds read condition where an application accesses memory beyond the bounds of a buffer. In the context of graphics libraries, such vulnerabilities can arise from improper bounds checking when handling string data returned by X server implementations. The glXQueryServerString() function is designed to query various string properties from the X server, but the implementation fails to properly validate the length of returned data before copying it into fixed-size buffers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a moderate risk level due to the disputed nature of its practical exploitation. The security community has noted that common usage scenarios do not typically require uninterrupted operation with an attacker-controlled server, suggesting that the attack surface is limited. However, the potential for system instability remains significant, particularly in environments where graphics-intensive applications are running continuously or where the graphics subsystem is exposed to untrusted input sources.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as buffer over-reads can potentially lead to information disclosure or even remote code execution in certain circumstances. When an application reads beyond allocated memory boundaries, it may inadvertently expose sensitive data from adjacent memory regions or cause the application to crash. In graphics contexts, this could result in application crashes, rendering issues, or potentially more serious security implications if exploited in conjunction with other vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45919 should focus on updating to patched versions of Mesa, as version 23.0.4 contains the vulnerable implementation. System administrators should prioritize updating graphics libraries in production environments, particularly those running graphics-intensive applications or serving as X server implementations. Additionally, monitoring for unusual graphics-related crashes or memory access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of graphics services to untrusted networks, aligning with defensive techniques recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics.
The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in graphics libraries and the need for comprehensive testing of API implementations that handle dynamic data from external sources. Security practitioners should ensure that graphics libraries are regularly updated and that proper memory safety checks are implemented in all functions that process external string data, particularly in server implementations that may be exposed to untrusted inputs.