CVE-2023-20902 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record was published by VMware on November 9, 2023, highlighting a timing attack risk in Harbor affecting various versions.

Understanding CVE-2023-20902

This CVE identifies a timing condition in Harbor versions <=2.6.x, <=2.7.2, <=2.8.2, and <=1.10.17 that allows attackers with network access to create/stop job tasks and retrieve job task information.

What is CVE-2023-20902?

CVE-2023-20902 points to a vulnerability in Harbor that enables attackers to exploit timing conditions to manipulate job tasks and data retrieval, potentially compromising the integrity of systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20902

The impact of this CVE is categorized as having a medium severity level. Attackers with network access can leverage this vulnerability to carry out malicious activities such as creating or stopping job tasks and accessing job information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20902

This section delves deeper into the vulnerability, its affected systems, and how attackers exploit it.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Harbor jobservice container, specifically in the comparison of secrets within the authenticator type, making it susceptible to timing attacks. Attackers can abuse this flaw to perform unauthorized actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Harbor versions <=2.6.x, <=2.7.2, <=2.8.2, and <=1.10.17 are impacted by this timing attack vulnerability. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation if the necessary precautions are not taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

With a high attack complexity and via a network vector, threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any additional privileges. The confidentiality impact is considered high, highlighting the potential severity of unauthorized data access.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for organizations and users to implement immediate steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20902 and establish long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately updating Harbor to a patched version beyond the affected ones is essential to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Network access control and monitoring can help detect and prevent unauthorized activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and employee training on cybersecurity best practices can enhance the overall security posture of an organization, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.

Patching and Updates

Staying informed about security advisories and promptly applying patches released by Harbor for identified vulnerabilities is crucial. Regularly updating systems can prevent attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.