CVE-2023-42811 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-42811 article provides an in-depth look into the security vulnerability identified in the aes-gcm Rust library, affecting versions >= 0.10.0 and < 0.10.3.

Understanding CVE-2023-42811

This section delves into the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-42811.

What is CVE-2023-42811?

aes-gcm, a Rust implementation of AES-GCM, exposes the plaintext in decrypt_in_place_detached even in case of tag verification failure, potentially leading to Chosen Ciphertext Attacks (CCAs).

The Impact of CVE-2023-42811

The vulnerability in the AES GCM implementation of decrypt_in_place_detached exposes the decrypted plaintext even when tag verification fails, posing a risk of unauthenticated input decryption and potential security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-42811

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

Version 0.10.0 to 0.10.3 of the aes-gcm library reveals plaintext even when decryption fails, enabling potential Chosen Ciphertext Attacks (CCAs) and compromising cipher security.

Affected Systems and Versions

RustCrypto's AEADs library versions >= 0.10.0 and < 0.10.3 are impacted by this vulnerability, requiring immediate attention and remediation.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the decrypt_in_place_detached function to access decrypted plaintext despite tag verification failure, potentially leading to severe security implications.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to address and prevent security risks posed by CVE-2023-42811.

Immediate Steps to Take

Developers are advised to update to version 0.10.3 of the aes-gcm library to mitigate the exposed plaintext issue and prevent potential security breaches.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular code audits, and staying updated on library patches and security advisories are essential for long-term security resilience.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security updates, promptly applying patches, and staying informed about CVE alerts can help prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.