CVE-2023-23911 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record was published on March 10, 2023, by HackerOne. It involves an improper access control vulnerability in Rocket.Chat prior to version 6. The vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to compromise the end-to-end encryption of a chat room by manipulating the group key.

Understanding CVE-2023-23911

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-23911, shedding light on its nature and potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-23911?

CVE-2023-23911 is classified as an improper access control vulnerability, specifically under the category of CWE-284. It affects versions of Rocket.Chat that are older than version 6, enabling a malicious actor to disrupt the E2E encryption of a chat room by modifying the group key.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23911

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it compromises the security and confidentiality of communications within a chat room. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information exchanged within the affected chat room.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23911

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-23911, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Rocket.Chat prior to version 6 stems from improper access control measures, allowing a threat actor to tamper with the group key of a chat room and circumvent the E2E encryption protections.

Affected Systems and Versions

The impacted system identified in this CVE is Rocket.Chat, with versions older than 6.0 being susceptible to the improper access control vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-23911, a malicious user would need to manipulate the group key of a chat room within the vulnerable version of Rocket.Chat. By doing so, they can compromise the E2E encryption and access the chat room's content illegitimately.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this segment, we will address the steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-23911 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to update Rocket.Chat to version 6.0 or later, as this includes a fix for the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring chat room activities for any suspicious behavior can help detect unauthorized access attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access control measures, regular security audits, and user awareness training on secure communication practices can enhance the overall security posture of chat room environments.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying software updates and security patches provided by Rocket.Chat is crucial to ensure that known vulnerabilities are promptly addressed, reducing the risk of exploitation.