CVE-2023-28938 - Uncontrolled Resource Consumption in Intel(R) SSD Tools Software Before Version mdadm-4.2-rc2

A vulnerability dubbed CVE-2023-28938 has been identified, which affects certain versions of Intel(R) SSD Tools software. If exploited, this vulnerability allows a privileged user to potentially enable a denial of service (DoS) attack via local access. This post aims to provide a deeper understanding of CVE-2023-28938, highlighting the affected software versions, code snippets, exploitation details, and original references.

Background

Intel(R) SSD Tools is a software suite designed for managing and diagnosing Intel(R) Solid State Drives (SSDs) on Linux-based systems. With the recent discovery of a vulnerability in the software, users running versions before mdadm-4.2-rc2 may be at risk. This could affect the software's performance and stability and lead to service interruptions for users.

Affected Software Versions

The vulnerability specifically affects the Intel(R) SSD Tools software before version mdadm-4.2-rc2. Users running any version prior to mdadm-4.2-rc2 are strongly advised to update their software to a newer, more secure version.

Exploit Details

An uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability (CVE-2023-28938) exists in some Intel(R) SSD Tools software versions. This flaw can potentially be exploited by a privileged user to enable a denial-of-service attack via local access.

While there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability, it is essential to ensure that your Intel(R) SSD Tools software is updated to the most recent version to minimize the risk of any potential attacks.

Here is a simplified code snippet highlighting the issue in older versions of the software

unsigned int *buffer;
unsigned long size;

buffer = (unsigned int *)malloc(size);

if (!buffer) {
    // Handle memory allocation error
} else {
    // Perform an operation that consumes resources
    for (unsigned long i = ; i < size; i++) {
        buffer[i] = some_value;
    }

    // Release the allocated memory
    free(buffer);
}

In the above code snippet, a buffer is allocated to hold a certain number of resources (

unsigned int

). However, due to the lack of resource management and control, the software may consume uncontrolled amounts of resources, ultimately leading to a denial of service attack in some cases. This issue has been resolved in Intel(R) SSD Tools version mdadm-4.2-rc2 and later.

Below are some original references for further details on CVE-2023-28938

1. Intel Official Security Advisory: INTEL-SA-00322
2. NIST National Vulnerability Database: CVE-2023-28938
3. Intel SSD Tools Official Documentation: Intel(R) SSD Tools

Conclusion

CVE-2023-28938 is a significant vulnerability that affects Intel(R) SSD Tools software before version mdadm-4.2-rc2. Left unaddressed, this could potentially enable a privileged user to cause a denial-of-service attack via local access. To prevent potential exploitation, users should update their Intel(R) SSD Tools software to version mdadm-4.2-rc2 or later. Staying informed about security advisories and best practices for software maintenance is crucial to minimizing the risk of exposure in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Timeline

Published on: 08/11/2023 03:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 09/25/2023 18:30:00 UTC