CVE-2023-21417 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record was published by Axis on November 21, 2023, highlighting a vulnerability in the AXIS OS discovered by Sandro Poppi, a member of the AXIS OS Bug Bounty Program. The vulnerability, assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.1, allows for path traversal attacks via the VAPIX API

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, potentially leading to file and folder deletion under certain conditions.

Understanding CVE-2023-21417

This section delves into the nature of CVE-2023-21417, its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21417?

CVE-2023-21417 is a vulnerability found in the VAPIX API

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within the AXIS OS, allowing authenticated users with specific privileges to carry out path traversal attacks that could result in file and folder deletion. The impact varies based on the level of privilege, with administrator accounts having a higher risk compared to operator accounts.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21417

The vulnerability poses a high availability impact, with a base severity rating of HIGH (7.1) according to the CVSS v3.1 score. While confidentiality impact is none, the integrity impact is low. Exploiting this vulnerability requires low privileges and network access, making it a concern for affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21417

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the

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API endpoint, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and delete critical files or folders on the system.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in

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enables path traversal attacks leading to unauthorized file and folder deletion. It necessitates authentication with operator- or administrator-privileged accounts for exploitation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is AXIS OS versions ranging from 8.50 to 11.6. Users operating within this version range are susceptible to exploitation if proper patches are not applied.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests to the vulnerable

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API endpoint, potentially deleting essential files or directories on the targeted system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Given the critical nature of CVE-2023-21417, immediate actions and long-term security practices are necessary to safeguard affected systems from exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply the patched AXIS OS versions released by Axis to address the vulnerability promptly. It is crucial to update systems with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access controls, regular security assessments, and ongoing monitoring of system logs can help detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. User privileges should be managed diligently to restrict unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Axis has released patched versions of AXIS OS to mitigate the vulnerability. Users are strongly encouraged to update their systems to the latest patched versions provided by Axis Communications AB to prevent potential exploitation and secure their environments.