CVE-2023-52367 - Vulnerability of Improper Access Control in the Media Library Module: Exploiting Weaknesses for Service Availability and Integrity

A new vulnerability, dubbed as CVE-2023-52367, has been discovered in the Media Library module of certain web applications, posing a significant risk for service availability and data integrity. The issue stems from improper access control, which allows threat actors to perform unauthorized actions that can potentially compromise the security and stability of the affected systems.

This blog post will delve into the details of CVE-2023-52367, providing code snippets, links to original references, and a thorough examination of the exploit. By understanding the specifics of this vulnerability, developers and administrators can take the necessary steps to safeguard their systems and mitigate potential risks.

CVE-2023-52367 Vulnerability Details

CVE-2023-52367 primarily affects the media library module in certain web applications where improper access control is implemented. As a result, unauthorized users can gain access to resources, files, and sensitive data that should otherwise be secured from unauthorized access.

For instance, assume that a media library module has insecure access control as shown below

def allowed_access(user):
  if user.is_authenticated():
    return True
  else:
    return False

Here, the access to resources is determined based on whether a user is authenticated or not. However, the check is inadequate, as it does not verify whether the user holds the necessary permissions to access the requested resources. As such, an attacker can exploit this weakness to compromise sensitive data or perform unauthorized operations, potentially harming the stability and security of the entire system.

Exploring The Exploit

To exploit CVE-2023-52367, an attacker would first need to gain unauthorized access to the system, typically by bypassing the default security measures in place. Once access has been gained, the threat actor can proceed to manipulate the media library module by interacting with it in unexpected ways.

User B, an unauthorized user, subsequently discovers the URL of the uploaded media file.

3. User B then exploits the vulnerability in the media library module to download, delete, or modify the media file, resulting in unauthorized access and potential data corruption.

Further information regarding CVE-2023-52367 can be found through the following official references

1. CVE-2023-52367 - National Vulnerability Database (NVD): https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-52367

2. CWE-284: Improper Access Control - Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE): https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/284.html

3. Mitre Corporation's CVE database: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-52367

Conclusion

Upon discovering CVE-2023-52367, developers and system administrators must be vigilant in implementing proper access control mechanisms within their web applications and services. By understanding the specifics of the vulnerability, organizations can better safeguard their systems against unauthorized access and potential data corruption or service disruption.

Timeline

Published on: 02/18/2024 04:15:07 UTC
Last modified on: 02/20/2024 19:50:53 UTC