CVE-2023-4883 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-4883 refers to multiple vulnerabilities found in Open5GS. The CVE was reserved on September 11, 2023, and published on October 3, 2023, by INCIBE.

Understanding CVE-2023-4883

This vulnerability involves an invalid pointer release vulnerability in Open5GS, which could be exploited by an attacker to disrupt the service's correct operation. The attacker can achieve this by sending a specifically crafted json string to the Virtual Network Function (VNF), triggering the ogs_sbi_message_free function, potentially leading to a service outage.

What is CVE-2023-4883?

CVE-2023-4883 is a vulnerability in Open5GS that allows an attacker to interrupt the service's operation by exploiting an invalid pointer release vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4883

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a base score of 7.5. It has a high availability impact with low attack complexity and requires no special privileges from the attacker.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4883

This section dives into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an invalid pointer release in Open5GS, allowing an attacker to disrupt the service by triggering a specific function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Open5GS version 2.4.10 and prior are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability entails sending a specially crafted json string to the VNF, triggering a specific function that can lead to a service outage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to monitor for any security updates released by Open5GS to address this vulnerability. In the meantime, network administrators can consider implementing additional security measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing best security practices, such as regular security audits, network segmentation, and access control mechanisms, can enhance the overall security posture and help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Open5GS is actively working on a fix for the reported vulnerabilities. It is important to apply patches promptly once they are released to secure the system against potential attacks.