CVE-2023-42448

Hydra's contestation period in head datum can be modified during Close transaction, allowing malicious participant to freely modify the contestation deadline

Description

Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Prior to version 0.13.0, the specification states that the contestation period in the datum of the UTxO at the head validator must stay unchanged as the state progresses from Open to Closed (Close transaction), but no such check appears to be performed in the `checkClose` function of the head validator. This would allow a malicious participant to modify the contestation deadline of the head to either allow them to fanout the head without giving another participant the chance to contest, or prevent any participant from ever redistributing the funds locked in the head via a fan-out. Version 0.13.0 contains a patch for this issue.

Categories

8.1
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
EPSS 0.73% Top 30%
Vendor Advisory github.com
Affected: input-output-hk hydra
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Link Tags
https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/security/advisories/GHSA-mgcx-6p7h-5996 vendor advisory
https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/commit/2f45529729e28254a62f7a7c8d6649066923ed1f patch
https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#0130---2023-10-03 release notes
https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/Head.hs#L284-L296 product
https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/Head.hs#L320-L323 product

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-42448?
CVE-2023-42448 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2023-42448?
To fix CVE-2023-42448, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2023-42448 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2023-42448 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~1% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2023-42448?
CVE-2023-42448 affects input-output-hk hydra.
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