In this post, we are going to discuss a newly discovered vulnerability, CVE-2022-48174, which affects BusyBox, a popular software suite that includes various Unix utilities often used in embedded systems. The vulnerability lies in a stack overflow issue found in ash.c:603 and affects BusyBox versions prior to 1.35. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in Internet of Vehicles (IoV) environments, as it allows potential attackers to gain arbitrary code execution from a simple command.

The vulnerability is found in the following code in ash.c:603

while ((c = pgetc()) != PEOF) {
    if (numnls >= numliterals) {
            numliterals += 10;
            if (result)
                result = 3;
    }
    if (c == '\n')
        numnls++;
    else
        result[len++] = c;
}

Vulnerability Details

The stack overflow vulnerability occurs due to improper handling of certain input conditions, which can lead to a buffer overflow. An attacker can exploit this by sending a specially crafted command to the BusyBox shell, leading to potential arbitrary code execution and unauthorized access to the system.

This vulnerability is particularly alarming in Internet of Vehicles environments, where critical systems could be potentially compromised, putting lives at risk. Thus, understanding this vulnerability and taking appropriate measures to patch it is essential for ensuring the security of IoV systems.

Original References

1. Official CVE-2022-48174 Entry: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-48174
2. BusyBox ash.c Source Code: https://git.busybox.net/busybox/tree/shell/ash.c?id=9e56c7277fa266e1ea81ff73611e61bd4a71d618

Exploit Details

As of now, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability. However, administrators and developers should take immediate action to prevent future attacks. Keep in mind the potential vulnerability could be exploited in sensitive environments like IoV.

1. Update BusyBox to version 1.35 or later, which contains a patch for this vulnerability. You can download the latest version at https://busybox.net/downloads/.
2. Always keep software up-to-date and apply security patches promptly, especially in Internet of Vehicles environments where safety is critical.
3. Limit access to the BusyBox command line only to trusted users and administrators, and enforce strong authentication mechanisms.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-48174 is a critical vulnerability in BusyBox versions prior to 1.35 that can lead to arbitrary code execution, making embedded and IoV systems potentially vulnerable. Understanding and addressing this vulnerability is essential for maintaining the security of these systems and protecting users from potential attacks.

Timeline

Published on: 08/22/2023 19:16:00 UTC
Last modified on: 08/28/2023 18:53:00 UTC