CVE-2023-21415 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was published on October 16, 2023, and identifies a vulnerability in AXIS OS discovered by Sandro Poppi, a member of the AXIS OS Bug Bounty Program. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-21415, involves a path traversal flaw in the VAPIX API overlay_del.cgi, allowing attackers to delete files.

Understanding CVE-2023-21415

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-21415, including the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-21415?

Sandro Poppi discovered that the VAPIX API overlay_del.cgi in AXIS OS is susceptible to path traversal attacks. This vulnerability enables unauthorized users to delete files by exploiting the flaw. Importantly, the attack can only be executed after authenticating with an operator- or administrator-privileged service account.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21415

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk, with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 6.5. While the confidentiality and integrity of the system remain unaffected, the availability impact is high. This implies that successful exploitation of the vulnerability could lead to significant disruptions to the availability of the affected service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21415

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21415, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in AXIS OS allows for path traversal attacks through the VAPIX API overlay_del.cgi, enabling unauthorized file deletions post authentication with privileged accounts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is AXIS OS by Axis Communications AB, specifically versions ranging from 6.50 to 11.5. Users operating these versions are at risk of exploitation unless mitigating actions are taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by leveraging path traversal techniques through overlay_del.cgi in the VAPIX API. This can lead to unauthorized deletion of files, potentially disrupting system availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21415, it is essential to implement immediate steps to mitigate the risk, adopt long-term security practices, and ensure timely patching and updates of the affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to review the Axis security advisory related to CVE-2023-21415 and apply the provided patches promptly. Additionally, restricting access to privileged service accounts can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing least privilege access, maintaining strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly monitoring and updating systems can enhance overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Axis Communications AB has released patched versions of AXIS OS to address the identified vulnerability. Users are strongly encouraged to apply these updates to secure their systems against potential path traversal attacks through the VAPIX API overlay_del.cgi protocol.