CVE-2023-38701
What it is
Hydra is the layer-two scalability solution for Cardano. Users of the Hydra head protocol send the UTxOs they wish to commit into the Hydra head first to the `commit` validator, where they remain until they are either collected into the `head` validator or the protocol initialisation is aborted and the value in the committed UTxOs is returned to the users who committed them. Prior to version 0.12.0, the `commit` validator contains a flawed check when the `ViaAbort` redeemer is used, which allows any user to spend any UTxO which is at the validator arbitrarily, meaning an attacker can steal the funds that users are trying to commit into the head validator. The intended behavior is that the funds must be returned to the user which committed the funds and can only be performed by a participant of the head. The `initial` validator also is similarly affected as the same flawed check is performed for the `ViaAbort` redeemer. Due to this issue, an attacker can steal any funds that user's try to commit into a Hydra head. Also, an attacker can prevent any Hydra head from being successfully opened. It does not allow an attacker to take funds which have been successfully collected into and currently reside in the `head` validator. Version 0.12.0 contains a fix for this issue.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data tampering, service disruption.
- Exploit odds
- 1.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 1.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 9.1 CRITICAL (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 1.1% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-20 · Improper input validation
- Record status
- Modified
Affected
- Iohk Hydra < 0.12.0
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.1
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-38701.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-38701. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/security/advisories/GHSA-6x9v-7x5r-w8w6
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/security/advisories/GHSA-6x9v-7x5r-w8w6
References
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#0120---2023-08-18
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/Commit.hs#L94-L97
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/Util.hs#L32-L42
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/security/advisories/GHSA-6x9v-7x5r-w8w6
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#0120---2023-08-18
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/Commit.hs#L94-L97
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/blob/master/hydra-plutus/src/Hydra/Contract/Util.hs#L32-L42
- https://github.com/input-output-hk/hydra/security/advisories/GHSA-6x9v-7x5r-w8w6