CVE-2023-43803 : Security Advisory and Response

Arduino Create Agent is a package designed to facilitate Arduino development. The vulnerability in this CVE affects the

/v2/pkgs/tools/installed

endpoint and its handling of plugin names provided as user input. An attacker with the ability to make HTTP requests to the localhost interface or circumvent CORS configuration could exploit this vulnerability to delete files or folders owned by the user running Arduino Create Agent through a specially crafted HTTP POST request. The issue has been resolved in version 1.3.3, and users are strongly advised to update to this version to mitigate the risk.

Understanding CVE-2023-43803

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-43803, shedding light on the impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-43803?

CVE-2023-43803 relates to a path traversal vulnerability in the Arduino Create Agent due to improper handling of user-supplied input, potentially leading to unauthorized file or folder deletion.

The Impact of CVE-2023-43803

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk (CVSS Base Score: 6.1) with a significant integrity impact. Attackers with low privileges and local access can exploit the flaw to compromise the integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-43803

Let's explore the technical specifics of the CVE in terms of the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of user input, enabling attackers to manipulate HTTP requests and delete critical files or directories within the Arduino Create Agent's context.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Arduino Create Agent versions earlier than 1.3.3. Organizations using these affected versions are at risk of exploitation until they update to the patched version.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the vulnerability by crafting HTTP POST requests with malicious input, thereby tricking the agent into deleting arbitrary files or directories accessible to the user.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to enhance resilience against such vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and organizations should promptly update their Arduino Create Agent installations to version 1.3.3 to eliminate the path traversal vulnerability and protect their systems from potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input validation mechanisms, regularly update software components, and follow secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patch releases for the Arduino Create Agent to stay protected against emerging threats.