CVE-2023-21990 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-21990 was published by Oracle on April 18, 2023. It pertains to a vulnerability in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product that can be exploited by a high privileged attacker to compromise the system.

Understanding CVE-2023-21990

This CVE highlights a critical security issue in the Oracle VM VirtualBox software that can lead to a complete takeover of the system by malicious actors.

What is CVE-2023-21990?

The vulnerability in Oracle VM VirtualBox allows a high privileged attacker with logon access to compromise the software. This can potentially impact additional products and result in the complete takeover of Oracle VM VirtualBox.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21990

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can have severe consequences on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 8.2, categorizing it as a high-severity issue.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21990

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, outlining the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the Oracle VM VirtualBox product of Oracle Virtualization (component: Core). It affects versions prior to 6.1.44 and prior to 7.0.8, allowing attackers with logon access to compromise the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Oracle VM VirtualBox product by Oracle Corporation is impacted by this vulnerability. Specifically, versions prior to 6.1.44 and 7.0.8 are susceptible to exploitation. Users of these versions should take immediate action to secure their systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a high privileged attacker who has logon access to the infrastructure where Oracle VM VirtualBox is running. Successful attacks on this vulnerability can lead to a complete takeover of the Oracle VM VirtualBox software.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the CVE-2023-21990 vulnerability, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and apply the necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to restrict access to the Oracle VM VirtualBox infrastructure and closely monitor any suspicious activities. It is recommended to limit privileges for users and ensure proper security configurations are in place.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security audits, employee training on security best practices, and continuous monitoring of systems for any vulnerabilities or breaches.

Patching and Updates

Oracle Corporation has released patches to address the vulnerability in Oracle VM VirtualBox. Users should promptly apply these patches and update their software to versions 6.1.44 and 7.0.8 or higher to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-21990.