CVE-2023-42446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A medium-severity vulnerability has been discovered in Pow Mnesia cache that could potentially lead to session hijacking due to improper handling of expired keys on startup.

Understanding CVE-2023-42446

This CVE-2023-42446 affects the Pow authentication and user management solution for Phoenix and Plug-based apps. The vulnerability exists in versions >= 1.0.14 and < 1.0.34 of Pow.

What is CVE-2023-42446?

Pow.Store.Backend.MnesiaCache in versions 1.0.14 to 1.0.33 fails to correctly invalidate all expired keys on startup, leading to a risk of session hijacking when instances are shut down for an extended period.

The Impact of CVE-2023-42446

The vulnerability could allow attackers to hijack user sessions, potentially compromising sensitive user data and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-42446

The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of expired keys in the MnesiaCache component of Pow.

Vulnerability Description:

Expired keys are not invalidated correctly on startup, leaving the system susceptible to session hijacking.

Affected Systems and Versions:

The affected systems are those using Pow authentication solution with versions >= 1.0.14 and < 1.0.34.

Exploitation Mechanism:

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to hijack user sessions by manipulating expired keys in the Mnesia cache.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-42446.

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update Pow to version 1.0.34, which contains a patch for this vulnerability.
Manually invalidate expired keys and sessions as a temporary workaround.

Long-Term Security Practices:

Regularly monitor and update Pow and its components to ensure system security.

Patching and Updates:

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.