Bitcoin Core: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
CVE-2023-33297 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Bitcoin Core from Bitcoin, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 24.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Bitcoin Core to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 73% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Bitcoin Core to 24.1 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | Bitcoin Core | before 24.1 | 24.1 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
Bitcoin Core before 24.1, when debug mode is not used, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (e.g., CPU consumption) because draining the inventory-to-send queue is inefficient, as exploited in the wild in May 2023.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
- Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.
More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
- en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Common_Vulnerabilities_and_ExposuresNot Applicable
- github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues/27586Issue Tracking
- github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues/27623Issue Tracking
- github.com/dogecoin/dogecoin/issues/3243#issuecomment-1712575544
- github.com/visualbasic6/drain
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/F2EI7SAP4QP2AJYK2JVE…
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/H3CQY277NWXY3RFCZCJ4…
- x.com/123456/status/1711601593399828530
Other vulnerabilities in Bitcoin Core
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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