CVE-2023-38307 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Webmin 2.021 Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2023-38307

An issue was discovered in Webmin 2.021 where a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability was found in the Users and Groups functionality. This vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated users inserting an XSS payload into the user's real name.

What is CVE-2023-38307?

CVE-2023-38307 is a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Webmin 2.021, specifically in the Users and Groups functionality. It allows authenticated users to insert malicious scripts into user information, potentially leading to unauthorized access and other malicious activities.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38307

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a legitimate user's session. An attacker could steal sensitive data, perform unauthorized actions, or escalate privileges by injecting malicious scripts that would be executed when other users view the impacted user's details.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38307

The following technical details outline the vulnerability in Webmin 2.021:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when an authenticated user adds a new user and injects an XSS payload into the user's real name, leading to script execution in the context of other users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a Product: Webmin 2.021 Versions: All versions are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability requires authenticated access to the Webmin application, allowing the insertion of malicious scripts into user information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-38307, consider the following mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Webmin to the latest version.
Consider limiting access to the Users and Groups functionality to trusted users only.
Regularly monitor user accounts for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users about the risks of inserting scripts into user information.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent XSS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Keep Webmin updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.