CVE-2023-0681 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, issued by advisory group Rapid7, exposes a vulnerability in Rapid7 InsightVM versions 6.6.178 and lower. The flaw allows malicious actors to redirect users to a site of their choosing using a specific component of the application. The vulnerability was rectified in the February 2023 release of version 6.6.179.

Understanding CVE-2023-0681

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-0681, shedding light on its nature, impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-0681?

CVE-2023-0681 is an open redirect vulnerability found in Rapid7 InsightVM versions 6.6.178 and prior. It enables attackers to manipulate the 'page' parameter of a particular component to redirect users to a malicious site of the attacker's choice.

The Impact of CVE-2023-0681

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as medium severity, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3. The potential risk lies in the attacker's ability to trick users into visiting harmful websites, leading to potential security breaches or further exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-0681

This section provides a deeper dive into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-0681, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

Rapid7 InsightVM versions 6.6.178 and lower suffer from an open redirect vulnerability, allowing attackers to redirect users to a specified malicious website using a specific component within the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include Rapid7 InsightVM versions 6.6.178 and earlier. Users of these versions are susceptible to exploitation through the manipulation of the 'page' parameter.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-0681, attackers leverage the vulnerable 'page' parameter within the 'data/console/redirect' component of Rapid7 InsightVM versions 6.6.178 and lower to redirect users to a malicious site.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of CVE-2023-0681, implementing immediate steps, long-term security practices, and staying updated with patches and fixes are crucial to mitigating the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of Rapid7 InsightVM versions 6.6.178 and lower are advised to update to version 6.6.179 released in February 2023 to eliminate the open redirect vulnerability and enhance security posture.

Long-Term Security Practices

Beyond patching, organizations are urged to adopt best security practices, such as monitoring and controlling redirection mechanisms, educating users on phishing tactics, and maintaining a proactive security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating software, especially security patches, is paramount in mitigating vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0681. Organizations should prioritize staying updated with the latest releases and security advisories from Rapid7.

By understanding the intricacies of CVE-2023-0681 and taking proactive security measures, users can bolster their defenses and safeguard against potential exploits stemming from the open redirect vulnerability within Rapid7 InsightVM.