CVE-2023-4883 in Open5GS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Invalid pointer release vulnerability. Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to interrupt the correct operation of the service by sending a specially crafted json string to the VNF (Virtual Network Function), and triggering the ogs_sbi_message_free function, which could cause a service outage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4883 represents a critical invalid pointer release flaw that specifically affects Virtual Network Functions within 5G networks. This issue manifests when a malicious actor crafts and sends a specially formatted json string to the vulnerable VNF component, triggering a chain of events that ultimately leads to service disruption. The vulnerability operates at the core of network function processing, where improper memory management routines create opportunities for exploitation that can cascade into broader network outages.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves the ogs_sbi_message_free function, which serves as a memory cleanup routine within the Open Source Gateway (OGS) framework. When the VNF receives the malformed json payload, the processing logic fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before invoking the memory release function. This improper handling creates a scenario where the function attempts to free memory that either has already been released or was never properly allocated, resulting in undefined behavior that can manifest as application crashes or service interruptions. The flaw aligns with CWE-415, which addresses double free errors, and CWE-416, covering use after free conditions, both of which represent fundamental memory management vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure that relies on the affected VNF. The ability to trigger service outages through json payload manipulation represents a significant risk to network availability and reliability, particularly in 5G environments where service continuity is paramount for mission-critical applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to create denial of service conditions that may affect multiple connected services or even entire network slices, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments.
The exploitation pathway for CVE-2023-4883 follows established patterns found in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service, where adversaries target network infrastructure components to disrupt service availability. This vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to perform persistent disruption campaigns against network functions, potentially leading to cascading failures across interconnected services. The json-based payload delivery method also aligns with T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for spearphishing with social engineering, as attackers may craft sophisticated payloads that appear legitimate to bypass initial security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms before any memory operations are performed. Network administrators should ensure that all VNF components receive immediate updates from vendors to address the memory management flaws in the ogs_sbi_message_free function. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring controls can help detect anomalous json payload patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The defense in depth approach should include input validation layers, memory corruption detection mechanisms, and comprehensive logging of all SBI (Service Based Interface) communications to enable rapid incident response when such attacks occur. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all network function components.