CVE-2023-22843 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE, assigned on January 24, 2023, and published on August 9, 2023, relates to a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Threat Intelligence rules in Nozomi Networks' Guardian/CMC versions prior to 22.6.2.

Understanding CVE-2023-22843

This section provides insights into the nature of the CVE-2023-22843 vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-22843?

The vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with administrative access to inject malicious JavaScript code into Threat Intelligence rule definitions. When another legitimate user views the details of such a rule, the injected code is executed, potentially enabling unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The code injection is possible for Yara rules, while limited HTML injection has been demonstrated for packet and STYX rules, executing within the authenticated victim's session context.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22843

The impact of this CVE is categorized as CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, with high confidentiality and integrity impacts. The vulnerability requires a high level of privileges but only low attack complexity, with user interaction required for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22843

Delving into the specifics of the vulnerability, understanding the affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanisms is crucial.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically 'Cross-site Scripting' (CWE-79). It allows malicious code injection into the Threat Intelligence rule definitions, leading to potential unauthorized actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nozomi Networks' Guardian and CMC versions earlier than 22.6.2 are susceptible to this XSS vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code into Threat Intelligence rule definitions, which, when viewed by another legitimate user, triggers the execution of the injected code within the victim's session context.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-22843, taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are imperative.

Immediate Steps to Take

Utilize internal firewall features to restrict access to the web management interface, limiting the attack surface and reducing the potential impact of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and user training to prevent and detect similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

The recommended solution is to upgrade the affected Nozomi Networks' Guardian/CMC systems to version 22.6.2 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Regularly applying security patches and updates can help safeguard the systems against known vulnerabilities.