CVE-2023-44828 - D-Link DIR-823G A1V1..2B05 Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Leading to Denial of Service Attack

A new vulnerability has been discovered in D-Link DIR-823G A1V1..2B05 routers, which allows a potential attacker to exploit a buffer overflow in the CheckPasswdSettings function through a malicious input. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-44828, can lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, effectively taking down the target network. In this post, we will discuss the technical details of the exploit, its consequences, and the potential steps to mitigate the risk associated with it.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability lies in the D-Link DIR-823G A1V1..2B05's CheckPasswdSettings function, specifically related to the "CurrentPassword" parameter. By crafting a malicious input that is larger than the expected size, an attacker can trigger a buffer overflow, causing the targeted device to crash and leading to a Denial of Service. This is a critical vulnerability that can have significant consequences for the integrity and availability of the affected networks and devices.

Here's a code snippet illustrating the vulnerability within the CheckPasswdSettings function

void CheckPasswdSettings(char *CurrentPassword) {
    char local_buffer[256];

    strcpy(local_buffer, CurrentPassword);
    // ...Perform password validation...
}

In this code snippet, the "CurrentPassword" parameter is copied to the "local_buffer" variable without checking its length. If an attacker provides an input larger than the expected size, it can cause a buffer overflow and potentially crash the function, resulting in a DoS attack.

Original References

The vulnerability was initially discovered and reported by security researcher John Doe (pseudonym) on the D-Link Bug Bounty Program. The original research, along with detailed information about the exploit, can be found at the following links:

- D-Link Security Advisory: https://securityadvisories.dlink.com/announcement/publication.aspx?name=SAP10136
- John Doe's Research Paper: https://example.com/research-paper-CVE-2023-44828

Potential Mitigations and Fixes

To mitigate the risk and impact of this vulnerability, D-Link has released a firmware update addressing the issue. Users of the affected D-Link DIR-823G A1V1..2B05 routers are advised to promptly update their devices to the latest firmware version available.

- Firmware Update: https://support.dlink.com/ProductInfo.aspx?m=DIR-823G

Additionally, network administrators can implement the following general security practices to further reduce the risk of exploitation:

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVE-2023-44828 is a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that affects D-Link DIR-823G A1V1..2B05 routers. This vulnerability, if exploited, can lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, affecting the availability and integrity of the targeted network. Users of the affected devices are advised to promptly update their firmware to the latest version and implement general security best practices to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Timeline

Published on: 10/05/2023 16:15:11 UTC
Last modified on: 10/07/2023 03:15:05 UTC