CVE-2023-24574 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2023-24574 was published on February 2, 2023, by Dell. It involves an "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerability" in the authentication component of Dell Enterprise SONiC OS versions 3.5.3, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2. An unauthenticated remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability, resulting in uncontrolled resource consumption by creating permanent home directories for unauthenticated users.

Understanding CVE-2023-24574

This section will detail what CVE-2023-24574 is and its potential impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-24574?

CVE-2023-24574 is a vulnerability found in Dell Enterprise SONiC OS versions 3.5.3, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to trigger uncontrolled resource consumption by manipulating the authentication component.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24574

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as attackers can exploit it to create permanent home directories for unauthenticated users, leading to uncontrolled resource consumption that can disrupt system availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24574

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-24574, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" vulnerability in Dell Enterprise SONiC OS versions 3.5.3, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 concerns the authentication component, allowing unauthorized users to consume resources uncontrollably.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include Dell Enterprise SONiC OS versions 3.5.3, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2. Systems running these versions are at risk of being exploited through this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves unauthenticated remote attackers manipulating the authentication component to create permanent home directories for unauthorized users, resulting in uncontrolled resource consumption.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-24574, immediate steps should be taken, and long-term security practices should be implemented to safeguard affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate actions such as applying security updates, restricting access to vulnerable components, and monitoring for suspicious activities can help mitigate the impact of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establishing robust access controls, conducting regular security assessments, and enhancing overall system security posture can prevent future exploits and enhance the resilience of the system against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for organizations to apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly. Dell has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in Dell Enterprise SONiC OS. Ensure all affected systems are updated to the latest patched versions to eliminate the risk posed by CVE-2023-24574.