CVE-2023-21987 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-21987 was published by Oracle on April 18, 2023, with a base score of 7.8, indicating high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects Oracle VM VirtualBox versions prior to 6.1.44 and 7.0.8, allowing a low-privileged attacker to compromise the system.

Understanding CVE-2023-21987

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-21987, including what it is, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-21987?

CVE-2023-21987 is a vulnerability found in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization, specifically in the Core component. It is classified as a difficult-to-exploit vulnerability that could potentially lead to a complete takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21987

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows a low-privileged attacker with access to compromise Oracle VM VirtualBox. Additionally, successful exploitation could have severe consequences on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, leading to a complete takeover of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21987

In this section, we will explore the technical details of CVE-2023-21987, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Oracle VM VirtualBox allows attackers with logon access to compromise the system, potentially leading to a full takeover. The scope change of this vulnerability could impact additional products beyond Oracle VM VirtualBox.

Affected Systems and Versions

Oracle VM VirtualBox versions prior to 6.1.44 and 7.0.8 are affected by CVE-2023-21987. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of exploitation by attackers with low privileges.

Exploitation Mechanism

The attack vector for CVE-2023-21987 is considered local, with high complexity and low privileges required for exploitation. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, and successful attacks could have a scope change impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-21987 and prevent potential security risks, users and organizations can take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Oracle VM VirtualBox to versions 6.1.44 or 7.0.8 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems to only trusted users with necessary privileges.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software and applications to address known vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security awareness training for staff to educate them about potential threats and best practices.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Oracle has released patches to address CVE-2023-21987. Ensure timely application of these patches to secure your systems against potential exploitation and unauthorized access.