CVE-2023-42456 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information on CVE-2023-42456, a vulnerability in sudo-rs related to Relative Path Traversal.

Understanding CVE-2023-42456

This section sheds light on the nature and impact of the vulnerability in sudo-rs.

What is CVE-2023-42456?

The CVE-2023-42456 vulnerability is a Relative Path Traversal issue in sudo-rs, affecting versions prior to 0.2.1. It allows users to manipulate specific files on the filesystem by creating usernames with special characters.

The Impact of CVE-2023-42456

The vulnerability poses a risk of filesystem corruption, where an attacker could potentially remove critical system binaries by exploiting the path traversal issue in sudo-rs by creating specially crafted usernames.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-42456

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-42456 vulnerability in sudo-rs.

Vulnerability Description

A user with a crafted username could execute

sudo -K

to clear session record files, leading to the removal of essential binaries from the system due to incorrect path construction.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of sudo-rs prior to 0.2.1 are affected by this vulnerability, specifically impacting users attempting sudo operations with manipulated usernames.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves creating usernames with specific characters, triggering path traversal behaviors that can result in unintended removal of critical system files.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-42456 vulnerability in sudo-rs.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to version 0.2.1 of sudo-rs to eliminate the path traversal issue and ensure that usernames no longer affect filenames. Additionally, avoid creating users with crafted usernames to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain a robust user creation policy to restrict the creation of users with maliciously crafted usernames. Regularly update sudo-rs to the latest version to stay protected from known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of software patches and updates to safeguard against emerging security threats and maintain system integrity.