CVE-2023-5077 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-5077 relates to an issue in Vault's Google Cloud Secrets Engine that resulted in the removal of existing IAM conditions when creating or updating rolesets. It was fixed in version 1.13.0 of the Vault software.

Understanding CVE-2023-5077

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-5077, explaining the vulnerability and its impact, along with technical aspects and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5077?

The vulnerability in Vault's Google Cloud Secrets Engine allowed for the inadvertent removal of existing Google Cloud IAM Conditions when rolesets were being created or updated, which could lead to incorrect permission assignments for critical resources.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5077

The impact of this vulnerability was deemed high with significant ramifications for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector was through the network with high complexity and privileges required.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5077

In this section, we will explore the technical specifics of CVE-2023-5077, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The specific issue with Vault's Google Cloud Secrets Engine was its inability to retain existing IAM Conditions, potentially resulting in critical resource misconfigurations.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems included HashiCorp's Vault and Vault Enterprise versions prior to 1.13.0, running on various platforms such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, x86, ARM, 64-bit, and 32-bit systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by leveraging the lack of preserved IAM Conditions in the Google Cloud secrets engine to manipulate rolesets and gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5077, organizations should take immediate steps, implement long-term security practices, and ensure timely patching and updates to prevent exploitation and potential security breaches.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately updating Vault and Vault Enterprise to version 1.13.0 or higher is crucial to mitigate the risk posed by the vulnerability and prevent any unauthorized access or data compromise.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating robust access control policies, regular security audits, and employee training on secure configurations can bolster the overall security posture and safeguard against similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security advisories, staying informed about software updates, and promptly applying patches are essential practices to maintain a secure environment and protect sensitive data from potential threats.