Bitcoin Core: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
CVE-2023-37192 is a high-severity missing encryption of sensitive data 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. Affected Bitcoin Core versions: 22.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.57% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Bitcoin Core you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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 | 22.0 | Not stated |
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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
Official description
Memory management and protection issues in Bitcoin Core v22 allows attackers to modify the stored sending address within the app's memory, potentially allowing them to redirect Bitcoin transactions to wallets of their own choosing.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
The product does not encrypt sensitive or critical information before storage or transmission.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Clearly specify which data or resources are valuable enough that they should be protected by encryption. Require that any transmission or storage of this data/resource should use well-vetted encryption algorithms.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
- When using industry-approved techniques, use them correctly. Don't cut corners by skipping resource-intensive steps (CWE-325). These steps are often essential for preventing common attacks.
More Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data vulnerabilities (CWE-311)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- satoshihunter1.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-bitcoin-app-is-vulnerable-to-hackers.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
- youtube.com/watch?v=oEl4M1oZim0Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
- bitcoin.org/en/bitcoin-core/Product
Other vulnerabilities in Bitcoin Core
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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