CVE-2023-33118: Critical Memory Corruption Vulnerability in Listen Sound Model Client Payload

Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has recently identified a critical vulnerability, dubbed CVE-2023-33118, which is a memory corruption issue that occurs during the processing of Listen Sound Model client payload buffer. This vulnerability is of particular concern as it can potentially lead to a system compromise or data leakage, affecting both the confidentiality and integrity of the system. Given the CVSS Severity Score of 7.8, this vulnerability is classified as high severity and warrants immediate attention, especially from organizations utilizing affected products.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-33118
Severity: High (7.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Listen Sound Model Client | 1.0 – 2.5
ST HAL | All versions prior to 3.0

How the Exploit Works

The CVE-2023-33118 exploit takes advantage of a flaw in the processing of Listen Sound Model client payload buffer. In particular, when a request for a Listen Sound session get parameter from ST HAL is made, the system becomes vulnerable to a memory corruption issue. This corruption can then be leveraged by an attacker to manipulate the system or extract sensitive data.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a
conceptual
example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. Please note that this is a simplified representation, intended for educational purposes only.

POST /ListenSoundModel/GetSessionParameter HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{ "malformed_payload": "OVERFLOW DATA..." }

In this example, the attacker sends a manipulated payload (`”OVERFLOW DATA…”`) that causes the system to overflow its allocated memory for the session parameter, leading to corruption.

Recommended Mitigation

The most effective way to mitigate this vulnerability is to apply the vendor-supplied patch. If this is not immediately possible, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as temporary mitigation. These tools can help identify and block malicious requests, thus preventing exploitation of this vulnerability. Nevertheless, patching should be prioritized to fully secure the system.
If you are using any of the affected products, it is imperative to take immediate action to prevent potential system compromise or data leakage. Be sure to regularly update your systems, implement robust security measures, and stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats.