A critical vulnerability tagged as CVE-2022-33184 has been identified in the fab_seg.c.h libraries of all Brocade Fabric OS versions before Brocade Fabric OS v9.1.1, v9..1e, v8.2.3c, v8.2._cbn5, 7.4.2j. This vulnerability could allow local authenticated attackers to exploit stack-based buffer overflows and execute arbitrary code as the root user account. In this lengthy post, we will cover the specifics of the vulnerability, a code snippet that demonstrates the issue, links to the original references, and additional details regarding the exploit.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability exists due to improper validation of user-supplied input within the fab_seg.c.h library files, which are included in various versions of the Brocade Fabric OS software. This issue can be exploited by an attacker who has local access to the system to trigger a stack-based buffer overflow condition by providing a specially crafted input, which would then lead to arbitrary code execution as the root user account.

Code Snippet

Below is a simple example of a function containing a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the fab_seg.c.h library:

void vulnerable_function(char *input) {
   char buffer[1024];
   strcpy(buffer, input);
   // further code execution
}

Exploit Details

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a payload that exceeds the buffer size and causing a buffer overflow. This can lead to corruption of memory in the stack, which might enable the attacker to control the execution flow and execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The attacker can then use the elevated privileges to access, modify, or delete sensitive data, execute unauthorized programs, or create new user accounts.

Original References

1. Brocade Security Advisory ID: BROCADE-SA-2022-33184
2. National Vulnerability Database (NVD) - CVE-2022-33184
3. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) - CVE-2022-33184

Recommendations

To mitigate this vulnerability, users are highly recommended to upgrade their Brocade Fabric OS to the latest available version. In addition, users should limit the access to the affected systems and deploy network segmentation and strong access control mechanisms to protect against unauthorized access and potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-33184 presents a significant risk due to its potential for arbitrary code execution as the root user account on affected systems. It is crucial for organizations running affected versions of Brocade Fabric OS to apply the necessary patches and take appropriate security measures to prevent exploitation by malicious actors. Stay vigilant and ensure that your systems are up-to-date to minimize the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 10/25/2022 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 03/02/2023 16:06:00 UTC