CVE-2023-23614 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE involves an improper session handling vulnerability in Pi-hole's AdminLTE web interface, which can lead to unauthorized access by exploiting the "Remember me for 7 days" functionality.

Understanding CVE-2023-23614

This vulnerability is classified as "Insufficient Session Expiration" (CWE-613) and "Use of Password Hash Instead of Password for Authentication" (CWE-836), making it a high severity issue with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

What is CVE-2023-23614?

Pi-hole's Web interface, based on AdminLTE, manages Pi-hole settings centrally. Versions 4.0 and above, up to 5.18.3, are vulnerable to Insufficient Session Expiration. The issue arises from incorrectly using the admin WEBPASSWORD hash as the value for the "Remember me for 7 days" cookie, enabling attackers to potentially reuse expired cookies for unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23614

This vulnerability allows attackers to pass the hash for login, reuse expired cookies, and potentially gain admin access without needing to crack the password. The exposed hash can be intercepted over the network, posing a risk of unauthorized access as long as the admin password remains unchanged.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23614

This section delves deeper into the vulnerability's specifics regarding its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Pi-hole's AdminLTE allows attackers to exploit the "Remember me for 7 days" feature, granting unauthorized access by misusing the admin WEBPASSWORD hash as the cookie value.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is Pi-hole's AdminLTE interface versions ranging from 4.0 to 5.18.3, where improper session handling puts user data and system integrity at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can intercept the hash transmitted over the network, store it in the browser, and reuse it to gain unauthorized access to the Pi-hole AdminLTE interface, leveraging the flawed session handling mechanism.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-23614, immediate actions must be taken to secure the affected systems and prevent potential unauthorized access.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Pi-hole's AdminLTE interface to version 5.18.3 or above to apply the necessary patch and eliminate the session handling vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and review access logs to detect any suspicious activities related to session handling and cookie management.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict password policies and regularly update admin credentials to prevent hash misuse.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Pi-hole and promptly apply them to ensure that known vulnerabilities, like improper session handling, are addressed comprehensively.