CVE-2023-22591 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record concerns an issue in IBM Robotic Process Automation that could potentially allow a user with physical access to the system due to session tokens not being invalidated after a password reset.

Understanding CVE-2023-22591

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability and its impact along with technical details, affected systems, exploitation mechanisms, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-22591?

The CVE-2023-22591 vulnerability relates to IBM Robotic Process Automation versions 21.0.1 through 21.0.7 and versions 23.0.0 through 23.0.1. It allows a user with physical access to the system to exploit session tokens that are not properly invalidated after a password reset.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22591

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as low severity according to the CVSS v3.1 base score of 3.9. While the attack complexity is high, the availability, confidentiality, and integrity impacts are low. The privileges required are none, and user interaction is not necessary for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22591

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the failure to invalidate session tokens after a password reset, potentially enabling unauthorized access to the system by a user with physical proximity.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM Robotic Process Automation versions 21.0.1 through 21.0.7 and versions 23.0.0 through 23.0.1 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires physical access to the system and knowledge of the session token not being invalidated after a password reset.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is essential to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-22591 and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that physical access to systems is restricted to authorized personnel only.
Monitor and validate session tokens to detect any unauthorized access.
Implement additional authentication measures to complement password-based security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security policies to address evolving threats.
Conduct security training for employees to enhance awareness of best practices.
Implement robust access control mechanisms to limit unauthorized system access.

Patching and Updates

IBM has provided patches and updates to address the vulnerability in Robotic Process Automation versions 21.0.1 through 21.0.7 and 23.0.0 through 23.0.1. It is crucial to apply these patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.