CVE-2023-1055 : What You Need to Know

This CVE impacts Red Hat Directory Server versions 11 and 12, potentially leading to sensitive information leakage due to a flaw in the system's LDAP browsing functionality. Attackers with local accounts where cockpit-389-ds is active could exploit this vulnerability to access hashed passwords, posing a significant risk to data confidentiality.

Understanding CVE-2023-1055

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-1055, outlining the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-1055?

CVE-2023-1055 is a security flaw identified in Red Hat Directory Server versions 11 and 12. It arises when LDAP attempts to decode the userPassword attribute instead of the userCertificate attribute during entry browsing. This misstep could allow attackers to view sensitive information, particularly hashed passwords, by exploiting a local account with cockpit-389-ds access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1055

The primary consequence of CVE-2023-1055 is the compromise of data confidentiality. By leveraging this vulnerability, malicious actors can gain unauthorized access to hashed passwords, potentially leading to further security breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information within the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1055

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-1055, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Red Hat Directory Server versions 11 and 12 allows for the leaking of sensitive information, specifically hashed passwords. This occurs due to LDAP incorrectly decoding the userPassword attribute while browsing entries, instead of the userCertificate attribute.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system is the Red Hat Directory Server, with versions 11 and 12 marked as affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-1055, an attacker must have a local account with access to cockpit-389-ds running on the system. By leveraging this access, the attacker can view processes and extract hashed passwords, compromising data confidentiality.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-1055 and prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

System administrators should promptly apply relevant security patches released by the vendor to address CVE-2023-1055. Additionally, monitoring for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access post-patching is crucial.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access controls, regular security audits, and user awareness training can enhance the overall security posture of the system and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating the Red Hat Directory Server to the latest stable version and promptly applying security patches issued by the vendor is essential to safeguarding the system against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-1055.