CVE-2023-23765 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-23765 details an incorrect comparison vulnerability found in GitHub Enterprise Server, leading to commit smuggling.

Understanding CVE-2023-23765

This vulnerability allows commit smuggling by displaying an incorrect diff in a re-opened Pull Request on GitHub Enterprise Server. The vulnerability requires the attacker to have write access to the repository.

What is CVE-2023-23765?

The flaw in GitHub Enterprise Server allows malicious actors to manipulate commits by showing incorrect differences in a re-opened Pull Request, potentially leading to commit smuggling.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23765

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-697 (Incorrect Comparison) and has a CVSS base score of 4.8, with a medium severity level. The attack complexity is considered high, requiring user interaction, high privileges, and access to the network. It poses a risk to the data integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23765

This section outlines specific technical details related to the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

An incorrect comparison vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server enables commit smuggling through the display of inaccurate differences in re-opened Pull Requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

GitHub Enterprise Server versions 3.6.0, 3.7.0, 3.8.0, and 3.9.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have write access to the repository and could abuse the incorrect comparison to manipulate commits.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-23765 and prevent potential exploits, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GitHub Enterprise Server to versions 3.6.16, 3.7.13, 3.8.9, or 3.9.1 to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict write access to repositories to limit the potential impact of commit smuggling attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and audit pull requests and commits to detect any suspicious activity.
Educate users on secure coding practices and the importance of proper commit verification processes.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates released by GitHub for the Enterprise Server to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.