CVE-2023-2356 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Relative Path Traversal vulnerability has been identified in the GitHub repository mlflow/mlflow before version 2.3.1. This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2023-2356, has been rated with a CVSS base score of 10, indicating a critical severity level.

Understanding CVE-2023-2356

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-2356 entails and its potential impact on systems.

What is CVE-2023-2356?

CVE-2023-2356 is a Relative Path Traversal vulnerability found in the mlflow/mlflow GitHub repository. This vulnerability allows an attacker to access files outside of the intended directory, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure or system compromise.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2356

The impact of CVE-2023-2356 is significant, with a high confidentiality and integrity impact. If exploited, an attacker could gain access to sensitive information or modify critical system files, posing a severe risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2356

This section will provide more technical insights into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2023-2356 is classified under CWE-23 - Relative Path Traversal. It stems from improper input validation that allows an attacker to navigate to files outside the expected directory through relative paths.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the mlflow/mlflow GitHub repository with versions prior to 2.3.1. Systems using these versions are vulnerable to exploitation of the Relative Path Traversal issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

The Relative Path Traversal vulnerability in mlflow/mlflow can be exploited by an attacker crafting specially designed requests that manipulate the file path input, enabling them to traverse to directories outside the permitted scope.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks associated with CVE-2023-2356, it is crucial to implement appropriate mitigation strategies and security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the mlflow/mlflow repository to version 2.3.1 or newer, where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, restrict and sanitize user input to prevent malicious path traversal attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, such as input validation, output encoding, and proper access controls, to mitigate the risk of path traversal vulnerabilities in the future. Conduct regular security assessments to detect and address potential weaknesses proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from mlflow and other relevant sources. Timely patching and proactive monitoring for security vulnerabilities are essential to maintaining a secure software environment.