CVE-2023-20898 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record was published by VMware on September 5, 2023, and affects Salt masters prior to versions 3005.2 or 3006.2. The vulnerability in question can lead to wrongful data disclosure, improper executions, data corruption, and system crashes.

Understanding CVE-2023-20898

This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-20898, shedding light on its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20898?

The vulnerability in Salt masters prior to versions 3005.2 or 3006.2 allows Git Providers to read from the wrong environment due to getting the same cache directory base name. This can result in the retrieval of incorrect data, leading to potential data exposure, unauthorized actions, and system instability.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20898

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.2 (Medium severity), the impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential for wrongful data disclosure, wrongful executions, data corruption, and system crashes. The attack complexity is rated as HIGH, with a low impact on confidentiality and integrity and no impact on availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20898

A detailed overview of the vulnerability, including how it can be exploited, the affected systems, and the relevant versions.

Vulnerability Description

In Salt masters prior to versions 3005.2 or 3006.2, Git Providers can inadvertently access the wrong environment due to sharing the same cache directory base name. This can result in the retrieval of incorrect or corrupted data, potentially leading to security breaches or system instability.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Salt masters running versions prior to 3005.2 or 3006.2. Users utilizing Git Providers in different environments are particularly at risk of encountering data integrity issues and unauthorized data access due to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the shared cache directory base name in Salt masters, malicious actors can manipulate Git Providers to read from unintended environments, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, corruption, or system instability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps to address the CVE-2023-20898 vulnerability can help safeguard systems and prevent potential security incidents.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of Salt masters should update their systems to versions 3005.2 or 3006.2 to mitigate the risk of Git Providers reading from incorrect environments. Additionally, it is advisable to review and restrict access permissions to sensitive data to minimize the impact of potential data disclosure.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular system updates and security patches to address known vulnerabilities promptly. Implementing access control measures and monitoring tools can also help detect and prevent unauthorized data access or system misuse.

Patching and Updates

The most effective way to address the CVE-2023-20898 vulnerability is to apply the latest patches and updates provided by Salt to ensure systems are running secure versions that mitigate the risk of data disclosure, corruption, or unauthorized access.