Out-of-Bounds Read in Redis

Executive Summary

This is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Redis versions up to 8.8.1. It occurs when an unauthenticated attacker sends a specially crafted PING message to the Redis Cluster Bus port. The vulnerability stems from the getPingExtLength() function failing to validate extension length fields against the actual remaining buffer size, causing the parser to read beyond allocated memory boundaries.

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Detection Guidance

Detecting this vulnerability requires monitoring for unusual network traffic on the Redis Cluster Bus port (default 6379) or checking for crashes in Redis instances. Inspect Redis logs for malformed PING messages or buffer overflow errors. Use network scanners to detect Redis instances listening on non-standard ports.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to denial of service by crashing the Redis server or information disclosure by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data in memory. An adjacent attacker could exploit this to read memory contents outside the intended buffer, potentially exposing confidential information.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could violate compliance requirements under GDPR and HIPAA by enabling unauthorized access to personal or health data. GDPR mandates protection of personal data, while HIPAA requires safeguards for protected health information. A successful exploit may result in data breaches, leading to regulatory penalties and legal consequences.

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Mitigation Strategies

Upgrade Redis to the latest version beyond 8.8.1. If upgrading is not possible, restrict access to the Redis Cluster Bus port using firewalls or network segmentation. Disable the Cluster Bus port if not in use. Monitor for suspicious activity targeting the Redis port.

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