CVE-2023-2014 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record, assigned CVE-2023-2014, involves a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the GitHub repository of microweber/microweber prior to version 1.3.3. It impacts the confidentiality of the affected systems and requires high privileges for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2023-2014

CVE-2023-2014 relates to a specific Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the microweber/microweber GitHub repository before version 1.3.3. This vulnerability, if exploited, could lead to severe consequences for affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-2014?

The CVE-2023-2014 vulnerability is categorized as a CWE-79 flaw that involves Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (Cross-site Scripting). In this scenario, attackers can inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2014

With a CVSS base score of 5.3, CVE-2023-2014 poses a medium-severity risk. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to a high impact on the confidentiality of affected systems, albeit with lower risks to integrity and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2014

The technical aspects of CVE-2023-2014 shed light on the vulnerability's description, affected systems, versions, and its exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a failure to properly neutralize input during web page generation, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's HTML pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the microweber/microweber product, particularly versions prior to 1.3.3. Systems running these versions are at risk of exploitation if the necessary conditions are met.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-2014 requires network access and high privileges. Attackers can initiate the attack by injecting malicious scripts through the affected web application's input fields, potentially compromising user data and system security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-2014, immediate steps should be taken to address the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using versions of microweber/microweber before 1.3.3 should update to the latest version that includes the necessary security patches. Implementing content security policies and input validation mechanisms can also enhance protection against XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining robust security practices, regular security audits, and educating developers on secure coding practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Organizations should prioritize security in the software development lifecycle to ensure the integrity of their applications.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring security advisories and promptly applying patches and updates to the software stack can help address known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2014. Timely patch management is essential to safeguard systems and data from potential cyber threats.