CVE-2023-4480 : What You Need to Know

This CVE article provides crucial information about CVE-2023-4480, which highlights an arbitrary file read vulnerability in the Fusion File Manager component of PHPFusion.

Understanding CVE-2023-4480

CVE-2023-4480 exposes a security flaw in the Fusion File Manager component within PHPFusion, allowing attackers to read and potentially write files on the system by exploiting an out-of-date dependency.

What is CVE-2023-4480?

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-4480 stems from a flaw in the Fusion File Manager, accessible through the admin panel. Attackers can send crafted requests to read files and write to arbitrary locations within the privileges of the running process.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4480

The impact of this vulnerability, identified in CAPEC-126 Path Traversal, results in a medium-severity breach with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5. It poses a high risk to confidentiality and a low risk to integrity, requiring high privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4480

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the Fusion File Manager component by sending crafted requests, leading to unauthorized file access within the application's privileges.

Vulnerability Description

An outdated dependency in the Fusion File Manager enables attackers to read and potentially write files on the system, leveraging the application's mime-type and file extension validation.

Affected Systems and Versions

PHPFusion versions less than or equal to 9.10.30 are susceptible to CVE-2023-4480, making them vulnerable to file read and write attacks via the Fusion File Manager.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the Fusion File Manager, allowing them to read sensitive files and write to arbitrary locations within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-4480, immediate steps and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implementing technologies like a web application firewall can help mitigate potential exploitation attempts and enhance the security posture of the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating PHPFusion to the latest secure versions, conducting security audits, and implementing secure coding practices can prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by PHPFusion to address CVE-2023-4480. Timely application of patches can safeguard systems against known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security.