CVE-2023-40115: Memory Corruption Vulnerability in readLogs of StatsService.cpp - Analysis, Exploits, and Prevention

A recent vulnerability tagged as CVE-2023-40115 is raising alarms in the cybersecurity community. This potential local escalation of privileges vulnerability has been identified in the readLogs function of StatsService.cpp. The primary cause of concern is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free issue. What's even more alarming is that no user interaction or additional execution privileges are required for exploitation.

In this post, we'll analyze this vulnerability, the affected code snippet, and shed some light on the potential exploits and mitigation strategies.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability arises due to memory corruption as a result of using an object after it has been released. This can potentially lead to an attacker gaining higher privileges on the compromised system.

The vulnerable code snippet in readLogs of StatsService.cpp is provided below

void readLogs() {
   // ...
   Buffer* buf = new Buffer(size);
   // ...
   delete buf;
   // ...
   buf->append(data); // Use after free
}

The 'buf' object is created using 'new', which allocates memory on the heap for the Buffer object. Later in the code, 'delete buf' is called, which releases the memory allocated to 'buf'. However, 'buf' is then subsequently used in the 'buf->append(data)' line, causing a use after free vulnerability.

Original References

1. link: Official CVE Details
2. link: Security Advisory from Vendor

Exploits

Exploiting CVE-2023-40115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with escalated privileges. An attacker could potentially:

Use the compromised system as a springboard for further attacks on the network.

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker can take advantage of the memory corruption that occurs after the 'buf' object is released. By manipulating the heap layout and controlling the data that is written to the freed memory, the attacker can potentially gain control over the program's execution flow, allowing them to execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges.

Mitigation Strategies

Developers should consider the following best practices to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability:

1. Ensure that 'buf' is not used after it has been freed. In the vulnerable code snippet provided above, remove the 'buf->append(data)' line or move it before the 'delete buf' line.

Monitor system activity for signs of unusual or unauthorized behavior.

5. Consider using intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to detect and block exploitation attempts.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-40115 is an alarming vulnerability that could result in severe consequences if left unaddressed. By being aware of the issue and implementing the appropriate mitigation strategies, developers and users can greatly reduce their risk of being exploited by this vulnerability. It is vital to maintain a strong security posture by staying up-to-date on the latest threats and regularly applying security best practices.

Timeline

Published on: 02/15/2024 23:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 08/01/2024 13:44:27 UTC