CVE-2023-2121 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record involves an issue where Vault and Vault Enterprise's (Vault) key-value v2 (kv-v2) diff viewer allowed HTML injection into the Vault web UI through key values. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-2121.

Understanding CVE-2023-20657

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2023-20657 vulnerability in HashiCorp's Vault and Vault Enterprise.

What is CVE-2023-20657?

The CVE-2023-2121 vulnerability in Vault and Vault Enterprise allowed for HTML injection through key values in the Vault web UI. This could potentially lead to security breaches and manipulation of the Vault's key-value data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20657

The impact of this vulnerability includes the risk of unauthorized manipulation of key-value data within Vault and Vault Enterprise. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious code or content into the web UI, compromising the integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20657

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-2121 vulnerability in HashiCorp's Vault and Vault Enterprise.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allowed for HTML injection into the Vault web UI through key values, posing a risk of unauthorized access and data manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 1.13.0, 1.12.0, 1.11.0, and 1.10.0 are affected by this vulnerability, with versions less than 1.13.3, 1.12.7, and 1.11.11 being vulnerable to HTML injection.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious HTML code through key values in the Vault web UI, leading to unauthorized access and data tampering.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2023-2121 in HashiCorp's Vault and Vault Enterprise.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Vault and Vault Enterprise installations to version 1.14.0, 1.13.3, 1.12.7, or 1.11.11 to mitigate the HTML injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing strong access controls and regular security audits can help prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security updates, security training for personnel, and implementing secure coding practices to reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

HashiCorp has released patches for the affected versions of Vault and Vault Enterprise. Users are strongly recommended to apply these patches promptly to ensure the security and integrity of their systems.