CVE-2023-6377: Xorg-x11-server: out-of-bounds memory reads/writes in xkb button actions

Published Dec 6, 2023
·
Updated

A flaw was found in xorg-server. Querying or changing XKB button actions such as moving from a touchpad to a mouse can result in out-of-bounds memory reads and writes. This may allow local privilege escalation or possible remote code execution in cases where X11 forwarding is involved.

Other sources

CVE-2023-6377: X.Org server: Out-of-bounds memory write in XKB button actions

Introduced in: xorg-server-1.6.0 (2009) Fixed in: xorg-server-21.1.10 and xwayland-23.2.3 Found by: Jan-Niklas Sohn working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative

A device has XKB button actions for each button on the device. When a logical device switch happens (e.g. moving from a touchpad to a mouse), the server re-calculates the information available on the respective master device (typically the Virtual Core Pointer). This re-calculation only allocated enough memory for a single XKB action rather instead of enough for the newly active physical device's number of button. As a result, querying or changing the XKB button actions results in out-of-bounds memory reads and writes.

This may lead to local privilege escalation if the server is run as root or remote code execution (e.g. x11 over ssh).

xorg-server-21.1.10 and xwayland-23.2.3 have been patched to fix this issue.

Red Hat

Affected Software

21 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/xorg-server<21.1.10
21.1.10
redhat/xwayland<23.2.3
23.2.3
debian/xorg-server
2:1.20.11-1+deb11u132:1.20.11-1+deb11u152:21.1.7-3+deb12u92:21.1.16-1
debian/xwayland<=2:22.1.9-1
2:24.1.6-1
redhat Enterprise Linux Eus=9.2
Debian Debian Linux=10.0
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
Debian Debian Linux=12.0
All of the following
X.Org X Server<21.1.10
Any of the following
redhat Enterprise Linux=6.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=9.0
All of the following
X.Org Xwayland<23.2.3
Any of the following
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=9.0
All of the following
TigerVNC TigerVNC
Any of the following
redhat Enterprise Linux=6.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=9.0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/xorg-server to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2:1.20.11-1+deb11u13Fixed in 2:1.20.11-1+deb11u15Fixed in 2:21.1.7-3+deb12u9Fixed in 2:21.1.16-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/xwayland to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2:24.1.6-1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/xorg-server to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 21.1.10
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/xwayland to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 23.2.3
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/xorg-server to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2:1.20.11-1+deb11u13
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/xorg-server to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2:1.20.11-1+deb11u15
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/xorg-server to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2:21.1.7-3+deb12u9
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/xorg-server to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2:21.1.16-1

Event History

Dec 6, 2023
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:03 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Dec 13, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:27 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:27 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jun 1, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:11 PM
Description
Sep 13, 2024
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·10:26 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2023-6377?

CVE-2023-6377 has been classified as a high severity vulnerability due to its potential for local privilege escalation and remote code execution.

2

How do I fix CVE-2023-6377?

To fix CVE-2023-6377, update xorg-server to version 21.1.10 or later, and xwayland to version 23.2.3 or later on affected systems.

3

Which software is affected by CVE-2023-6377?

CVE-2023-6377 affects xorg-server versions prior to 21.1.10 and xwayland versions prior to 23.2.3 on specific Red Hat and Debian distributions.

4

Can CVE-2023-6377 be exploited remotely?

Yes, CVE-2023-6377 may allow remote code execution in scenarios involving X11 forwarding.

5

What are the consequences of CVE-2023-6377 if exploited?

If exploited, CVE-2023-6377 could lead to unauthorized access and control over affected systems, resulting in potential data breaches or system compromise.

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