Fix High Severity CVE-2023-4586 In Netty-handler

by Alex Johnson 49 views

This article discusses the high-severity vulnerability, CVE-2023-4586, detected in netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar. It provides details about the vulnerability, its impact, and suggested fixes to mitigate the risk. This vulnerability affects applications using the Netty framework and could potentially lead to man-in-the-middle attacks. Let’s dive into the specifics of this vulnerability and how to address it.

Vulnerable Library: netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar

About Netty

Netty is a widely used asynchronous event-driven network application framework. It simplifies the development of high-performance protocol servers and clients. Netty's architecture allows developers to create maintainable and scalable network applications efficiently. Due to its popularity and widespread use, vulnerabilities in Netty can have significant implications for many applications.

Library Details

  • Name: netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar
  • Description: Part of the Netty framework, responsible for handling network events and data.
  • Library Home Page: http://netty.io/
  • Path to Dependency File: /packages/cactus-plugin-ledger-connector-corda/src/main-server/kotlin/gen/kotlin-spring/build.gradle.kts
  • Path to Vulnerable Library: /home/wss-scanner/.gradle/caches/modules-2/files-2.1/io.netty/netty-handler/4.1.36.Final/1c38a5920a10c01b1cce4cdc964447ec76abf1b5/netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar
  • Dependency Hierarchy:
    • corda-rpc-4.5.jar (Root Library)
      • corda-node-api-4.5.jar
        • artemis-core-client-2.8.0.jar
          • :x: netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar (Vulnerable Library)
  • Found in Base Branch: master

Understanding the dependency hierarchy is crucial for identifying the root cause and impact of the vulnerability. In this case, netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar is a transitive dependency, meaning it's included through other libraries. Identifying the path to the vulnerable library helps in pinpointing the exact location of the vulnerable code within your project.

Vulnerability Details for CVE-2023-4586

Description

The vulnerability CVE-2023-4586 is present in the Hot Rod client, where hostname validation is not enabled when using TLS. This lack of validation can expose the application to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. In an MITM attack, an attacker intercepts communication between two parties, potentially eavesdropping or altering the data exchanged. This can lead to serious security breaches, including data theft and unauthorized access.

Key Information

Understanding the Impact

The absence of hostname validation in the Hot Rod client means that when a TLS connection is established, the client does not verify that the server's certificate matches the hostname it is connecting to. An attacker could exploit this by presenting a fraudulent certificate, tricking the client into believing it is communicating with a legitimate server. This is especially critical in environments where sensitive data is transmitted. The vulnerability can lead to:

  • Data Interception: Attackers can intercept sensitive data transmitted between the client and the server.
  • Data Manipulation: Attackers can alter data in transit, leading to data corruption or malicious modifications.
  • Unauthorized Access: Attackers can gain unauthorized access to systems and resources by impersonating legitimate users.

CVSS 3.0 Score Details (7.4 - High Severity)

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) provides a standardized way to assess the severity of security vulnerabilities. The CVSS 3.0 score for CVE-2023-4586 is 7.4, indicating a high severity vulnerability. Understanding the metrics that contribute to this score helps in prioritizing remediation efforts.

Base Score Metrics

The base score is calculated based on several metrics that reflect the intrinsic characteristics of the vulnerability.

Exploitability Metrics

  • Attack Vector: Network – The vulnerability can be exploited over a network, making it remotely exploitable.
  • Attack Complexity: High – The conditions for successful exploitation are specialized or an attacker-controlled condition must exist. This suggests that exploiting the vulnerability requires more than just sending a simple exploit.
  • Privileges Required: None – No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability. An attacker does not need any specific credentials or permissions to carry out the attack.
  • User Interaction: None – No user interaction is required to exploit the vulnerability. The attack can be carried out without any action from the user.
  • Scope: Unchanged – An exploited vulnerability can only affect resources managed by the same security authority.

Impact Metrics

  • Confidentiality Impact: High – There is a high impact on confidentiality. An attacker can gain access to sensitive information.
  • Integrity Impact: High – There is a high impact on integrity. An attacker can modify data or system resources.
  • Availability Impact: None – There is no impact on availability. The vulnerability does not cause any disruption to services.

For more information on CVSS3 Scores, you can refer to the FIRST CVSS Calculator.

Suggested Fix

To address the CVE-2023-4586 vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade the netty-handler library. The suggested fix involves updating to a version of infinispan-client-hotrod that includes the necessary security patches.

Details

  • Type: Upgrade version
  • Release Date: 2023-10-04
  • Fix Resolution: Upgrade to org.infinispan:infinispan-client-hotrod:14.0.18.Final or org.infinispan:infinispan-client-hotrod-jakarta:14.0.18.Final.

Implementation Steps

  1. Identify the Dependency: Locate the dependency declaration for netty-handler or infinispan-client-hotrod in your project's build configuration file (e.g., pom.xml for Maven, build.gradle for Gradle).
  2. Update the Version: Modify the version number to 14.0.18.Final for either org.infinispan:infinispan-client-hotrod or org.infinispan:infinispan-client-hotrod-jakarta, depending on which one your project uses.
  3. Test the Application: Thoroughly test your application after the upgrade to ensure that the fix has been applied correctly and that no new issues have been introduced. This includes verifying that TLS connections are properly validated.

Example: Gradle

In your build.gradle.kts file, update the dependency as follows:

dependencies {
    implementation("org.infinispan:infinispan-client-hotrod:14.0.18.Final")
    // or
    implementation("org.infinispan:infinispan-client-hotrod-jakarta:14.0.18.Final")
}

Example: Maven

In your pom.xml file, update the dependency as follows:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.infinispan</groupId>
    <artifactId>infinispan-client-hotrod</artifactId>
    <version>14.0.18.Final</version>
</dependency>
<!-- or -->
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.infinispan</groupId>
    <artifactId>infinispan-client-hotrod-jakarta</artifactId>
    <version>14.0.18.Final</version>
</dependency>

Additional Security Measures

While upgrading the library is the primary fix, consider implementing additional security measures to further protect your application:

  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF): Use a WAF to filter malicious traffic and protect against common web attacks.
  • Intrusion Detection System (IDS): Implement an IDS to detect and respond to suspicious activity on your network.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that users and processes have only the minimum necessary privileges to perform their tasks.

Conclusion

Addressing the CVE-2023-4586 vulnerability in netty-handler-4.1.36.Final.jar is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of your applications. By upgrading to the recommended version and implementing additional security measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks and protect sensitive data. Always stay informed about the latest security vulnerabilities and promptly apply necessary updates and patches.

For more detailed information on network security and best practices, you can visit the OWASP Foundation website. This resource offers valuable insights and guidelines to help you secure your applications and protect against potential threats.