CVE-2023-21282 - A Closer Look at the Out of Bounds Write Vulnerability in TRANSPOSER_SETTINGS of lpp_tran.h Code File

In today's age, it is of paramount importance to ensure maximum security in the cyber world. A simple vulnerability can lead to drastic consequences. One such critical vulnerability is detected in the TRANSPOSER_SETTINGS of the lpp_tran.h code file. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identifier for this vulnerability is CVE-2023-21282. This post will provide an in-depth analysis of this vulnerability, its potential impacts, code snippets, original references, and exploit details.

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability in the lpp_tran.h code file mainly deals with an incorrect bounds check, which results in a possible out of bounds write vulnerability. This issue could potentially lead to remote code execution with no additional permissions required. However, to exploit this vulnerability, user interaction is needed.

The out of bounds write occurs in the TRANSPOSER_SETTINGS of the lpp_tran.h code file. It's essential to understand how the incorrect bounds check happens and the possible scenarios that lead to this vulnerability.

Code Snippet

The following code snippet highlights the problem area in the TRANSPOSER_SETTINGS. Note that the specific problematic lines are marked with comments.

/* lpp_tran.h */

typedef struct {
  int mode;
  int lowerLimit;
  int upperLimit;
  int outLowerLimit;
  int outUpperLimit;
} TRANSPOSER_SETTINGS;

/* Main function where the bug occurs */
void process(TRANSPOSER_SETTINGS *settings, int inputValue) {
  // Problematic line: Incorrect bounds check
  if (inputValue < settings->lowerLimit || inputValue > settings->upperLimit) {
    return;
  }

  int outputValue = inputValue;

  // Problematic line: Possible out of bounds write
  outputValue += settings->outLowerLimit;

  // Additional calculations
  // ...
}

By looking at the code snippet, it's clear how the incorrect bounds check and the subsequent out of bounds write can occur. The if statement has an incorrect check for the input value against the lower and upper limits, while the outputValue assignment may cause an out-of-bounds write when adding the outLowerLimit.

Exploit Details

As mentioned earlier, user interaction is required for exploitation. An attacker might craft a malicious payload and trick the user into providing an input that would cause an out of bounds write. Any application using this code might be exploited to execute remote code on the target device.

For example, a crafted payload could include inputs that bypass the bounds check in the if statement and result in an out of bounds write. This could potentially corrupt memory and achieve remote code execution on the target device.

To get more insights and details about this vulnerability, you can refer to the original sources

- CVE-2023-21282 - MITRE
- CVE-2023-21282 - National Vulnerability Database

Conclusion

It's crucial to patch this vulnerability and update the affected software as soon as possible. The consequences of exploiting this vulnerability can be detrimental to the target system. Developers are advised to thoroughly check their bounds and perform validations to avoid such vulnerabilities in the future.

This vulnerability serves as a reminder that any small oversight in code could lead to significant security vulnerabilities. We must stay vigilant and promote secure coding practices to ensure the safety of our software and systems.

Timeline

Published on: 08/14/2023 22:15:13 UTC
Last modified on: 08/21/2023 16:40:21 UTC