CVE-2023-28473 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE, assigned on April 28, 2023, relates to a vulnerability in Concrete CMS, previously known as concrete5. The versions 8.5.12 and below, as well as versions 9.0 through 9.1.3, are affected by a potential authentication bypass issue within the jobs section.

Understanding CVE-2023-28473

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-28473, focusing on the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28473?

CVE-2023-28473 highlights a security flaw in Concrete CMS versions that could potentially allow unauthorized access through an authentication bypass in the jobs section.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28473

The vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data and functionalities within Concrete CMS versions 8.5.12 and below, as well as versions 9.0 through 9.1.3.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28473

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-28473, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Concrete CMS versions allows for potential authentication bypass, opening doors for unauthorized users to gain access to the jobs section without proper authentication.

Affected Systems and Versions

Concrete CMS versions 8.5.12 and below, along with versions 9.0 through 9.1.3, are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability may involve bypassing the authentication mechanisms in the jobs section of Concrete CMS, leading to unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will provide guidance on steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-28473 in Concrete CMS.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Concrete CMS installations to the latest patched versions to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to sensitive sections can help reduce the risk of unauthorized entry.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong authentication mechanisms, regular security audits, and user access controls are essential for maintaining the security of Concrete CMS installations in the long term.

Patching and Updates

Concrete CMS users should regularly monitor security advisories and promptly apply patches and updates released by the CMS provider to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security posture.