CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-53966NVD status: Analyzed

SOUND4 LinkAndShare Transmitter: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-53966 is a critical-severity use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability in SOUND4 LinkAndShare Transmitter from Sound4, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected SOUND4 LinkAndShare Transmitter versions: 1.1.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.73% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 55% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of SOUND4 LinkAndShare Transmitter you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
SOUND4SOUND4 LinkAndShare Transmitter1.1.2Not stated
Sound4Linkandshare Transmitter1.1.2Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.09.3CriticalCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalCNA (vulncheck.com)

Official description

SOUND4 LinkAndShare Transmitter 1.1.2 contains a format string vulnerability that allows attackers to trigger memory stack overflows through maliciously crafted environment variables. Attackers can manipulate the username environment variable with format string payloads to potentially execute arbitrary code and crash the application.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String

The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
  • Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings.
  • Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.

More Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities (CWE-134)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Recent Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities

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