CVE-2023-52702 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: openvswitch: fix possible memory leak in ovs_meter_cmd_set()
old_meter needs to be free after it is detached regardless of whether the new meter is successfully attached.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52702 resides within the Linux kernel's Open vSwitch networking implementation, specifically affecting the ovs_meter_cmd_set() function. This issue represents a memory management flaw that can lead to resource exhaustion within virtualized network environments. Open vSwitch serves as a production-quality virtual switch implementation that supports various network protocols and is widely deployed in cloud computing infrastructures, containerized environments, and network virtualization scenarios. The vulnerability manifests when processing meter commands that modify traffic control parameters within the virtual network fabric.
The technical flaw occurs in the ovs_meter_cmd_set() function where memory allocated for old meter structures is not consistently freed when transitioning between meter configurations. The code path fails to properly handle the detachment of old meter references regardless of the success or failure of attaching new meter configurations. This memory leak specifically impacts the meter management subsystem of Open vSwitch, which is responsible for implementing traffic control policies including rate limiting, bandwidth control, and quality of service enforcement. The improper memory handling creates a scenario where allocated kernel memory remains unreleased, leading to gradual resource consumption that can ultimately impact system stability and performance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various deployment scenarios where Open vSwitch is utilized for network virtualization and traffic management. In cloud environments, this memory leak can cause progressive degradation of network performance as virtual machines or containers continuously modify traffic control policies. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-traffic scenarios where frequent meter updates occur, as the memory consumption grows linearly with each meter command execution. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions through sustained meter command injection, leading to system instability or complete network service disruption in affected virtualized environments.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-401: "Improper Release of Memory Before Removing Last Reference" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: "Endpoint Denial of Service" under the broader category of resource exhaustion attacks. The memory leak could be amplified in environments where multiple concurrent processes or users frequently modify Open vSwitch meter configurations, creating a cascading effect that degrades overall system performance. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as part of their security posture assessment for virtualized infrastructures, particularly those relying on Open vSwitch for network policy enforcement.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize applying the kernel patch that ensures proper memory cleanup in the ovs_meter_cmd_set() function. System administrators should monitor memory usage patterns in Open vSwitch environments and implement automated alerting for unusual memory consumption trends. Regular kernel updates and vulnerability assessments should include verification of Open vSwitch components, especially in production environments where network virtualization is critical. The fix ensures that old_meter references are consistently freed after detachment, regardless of whether new meter attachments succeed, thereby preventing the accumulation of unreleased kernel memory. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic monitoring to detect anomalous meter command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts or configuration errors leading to resource exhaustion.