CVE-2023-21418 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record was published on November 21, 2023, by Axis Communications AB. The vulnerability was discovered by Sandro Poppi, a member of the AXIS OS Bug Bounty Program. It involves a path traversal vulnerability in the VAPIX API, specifically in the 'irissetup.cgi' file, allowing for file deletion.

Understanding CVE-2023-21418

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-21418, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21418?

CVE-2023-21418 involves a path traversal vulnerability in the VAPIX API's 'irissetup.cgi' file. Exploiting this flaw enables attackers to delete files. However, exploiting this vulnerability requires authentication with an operator- or administrator-privileged service account. The impact is less severe with operator accounts as it is limited to non-system files compared to administrator privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21418

The CVSS v3.1 base score for CVE-2023-21418 is 7.1, categorizing it as a high-severity vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, with a network-based attack vector and high availability impact. While the confidentiality impact is none and integrity impact is low, privileges required for exploitation are low, and user interaction is not needed. The scope remains unchanged in terms of impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21418

The following section covers a deeper dive into the vulnerability itself, the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the 'irissetup.cgi' file of the VAPIX API allows for path traversal attacks that lead to file deletion when exploited.

Affected Systems and Versions

The security flaw impacts AXIS OS versions 6.50 through 11.6. Users of these versions are susceptible to the vulnerability unless patched.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-21418 requires authentication with an operator- or administrator-privileged service account on the affected AXIS OS versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss the necessary steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-21418 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

To address CVE-2023-21418, users should refer to the Axis security advisory for detailed information and apply the patched AXIS OS versions released by Axis Communications AB.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a robust security policy, including regular security updates, access controls, and monitoring, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update software and firmware to the latest versions provided by Axis to ensure that security patches are applied promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation.