CVE-2023-28901 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record discusses a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28901 that was published on January 18, 2024. The vulnerability involves a Broken Access Control issue present in the Skoda Automotive cloud, potentially allowing remote attackers to access sensitive information of Skoda Connect service users.

Understanding CVE-2023-28901

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-28901, outlining what the vulnerability entails, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-28901?

The CVE-2023-28901 vulnerability is categorized as a Broken Access Control issue within the Skoda Automotive cloud infrastructure. It enables malicious actors to gather recent trip data, vehicle mileage, fuel consumption, average and maximum speed, and other personal information of Skoda Connect users by inputting a specific vehicle VIN number.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28901

The impact of this vulnerability, known as CAPEC-116 Excavation, is considered medium severity with a CVSS base score of 5.3. While the attack complexity is low and requires no special privileges, the confidentiality impact is low, with no integrity impact and unchanged scope. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, posing privacy risks.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28901

This section will highlight the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-28901 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Broken Access Control vulnerability within the Skoda Automotive cloud allows threat actors to extract a wealth of sensitive information from Skoda Connect service users by providing an arbitrary vehicle VIN number, breaching user privacy and security protocols.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product in this scenario is Skoda Connect, a service offered by Skoda Auto. The vulnerability impacts version 0 of the Skoda Connect service, exposing users to the risk of data extraction and privacy breaches.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-28901, attackers only need to specify a particular vehicle VIN number to access recent trip data, vehicle mileage, fuel consumption, and more from unsuspecting Skoda Connect service users. This ease of exploitation increases the urgency for remediation measures.

Mitigation and Prevention

In response to CVE-2023-28901, immediate actions, ongoing security practices, and patching updates are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations and users utilizing the Skoda Connect service should promptly address this vulnerability by implementing access controls, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and restricting data retrieval based on VIN numbers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establishing robust access control policies, conducting regular security assessments, educating users on data security best practices, and enhancing system monitoring are critical for long-term protection against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Skoda Auto should release patches and updates to address the Broken Access Control vulnerability in the Skoda Automotive cloud promptly. Users are advised to apply these updates promptly to safeguard their personal data and maintain the integrity of the Skoda Connect service.