CVE-2023-45229 is a vulnerability classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) found in the Network Package of TianoCore's edk2 firmware development environment, specifically in version edk2-stable202308. The flaw occurs during the processing of IA_NA (Identity Association for Non-temporary Addresses) or IA_TA (Identity Association for Temporary Addresses) options within DHCPv6 Advertise messages. An attacker with network access can craft malicious DHCPv6 Advertise packets that trigger an out-of-bounds read in the vulnerable code, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents. This exposure can lead to unauthorized information disclosure, compromising confidentiality without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability does not require privileges or user interaction, making it easier to exploit in environments where DHCPv6 is used for network configuration or bootstrapping. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the medium CVSS score of 6.5 reflects the significant confidentiality impact combined with the relatively low attack complexity and no need for authentication. The vulnerability affects firmware components used in UEFI implementations, which are critical for system boot and hardware initialization, making this a concern for systems relying on network boot or firmware updates via DHCPv6. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate attention to network controls and monitoring.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the potential unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information from firmware memory during DHCPv6 processing. This can undermine confidentiality, especially in environments where firmware integrity and secure boot processes are critical, such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure sectors. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain insights into firmware internals or cryptographic material, potentially facilitating further attacks. Since the vulnerability affects network-facing firmware components, it can be exploited remotely within the local network or via compromised network segments. The impact is heightened in organizations using DHCPv6 extensively for network configuration or PXE boot environments. Loss of confidentiality at the firmware level can have cascading effects on system trustworthiness and security posture. However, the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, limiting the scope of damage to information disclosure. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as threat actors may develop exploits over time.

Organizations should monitor TianoCore and vendor advisories for patches addressing CVE-2023-45229 and apply updates promptly once available. Until patches are released, network segmentation should be enforced to restrict access to DHCPv6 services, limiting exposure to trusted devices only. Implement strict DHCPv6 traffic filtering and anomaly detection to identify and block malformed Advertise messages. Firmware vendors and integrators should review their use of edk2 components and consider disabling or restricting DHCPv6 network boot features if not required. Conduct thorough firmware inventory and validation to identify affected systems. Employ network-level protections such as DHCP snooping and port security to prevent unauthorized DHCPv6 servers from injecting malicious packets. Additionally, organizations should enhance monitoring of firmware-related logs and network traffic for suspicious DHCPv6 activity. Collaboration with hardware and firmware suppliers is critical to ensure timely patch deployment and coordinated response.