Unsafe Code Paths in BPF Lead to Memory Access Vulnerabilities

CVE-2023-2163

What is CVE-2023-2163?

CVE-2023-2163 is a notable vulnerability affecting the BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) subsystem in the Linux Kernel, specifically versions 5.4 and above. This vulnerability arises from inadequate verifier pruning, which misclassifies unsafe code paths as safe. As a result, it can lead to arbitrary read and write access in kernel memory. Organizations utilizing Linux systems may face serious consequences from this vulnerability, including unauthorized access to sensitive resources and potential compromises of system integrity.

Technical Details

The core of CVE-2023-2163 lies in the improper handling of code path verification within the BPF framework. The verifier is responsible for ensuring that BPF programs do not create unsafe operations; however, in this case, it fails to appropriately prune unsafe code paths. This misclassification can enable attackers to exploit the kernel's memory management system, allowing for lateral privilege escalation and the possibility of escaping from containers. The implications include increased risk for compromised applications and services running on Linux.

Potential Impact of CVE-2023-2163

1. Arbitrary Memory Access: Exploiting this vulnerability can allow attackers to read from and write to arbitrary locations in kernel memory, which could lead to data corruption or system crashes.

2. Privilege Escalation: An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the system, gaining access to resources and capabilities beyond their original permissions, which can result in significant security breaches.

3. Container Escape: For organizations utilizing containerization technologies, this flaw poses the risk of escaping container isolation, allowing malicious actors to access the host system and other containers, thereby amplifying the threat landscape.

News Articles

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