CVE-2023-23950 : What You Need to Know

This CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) record, assigned CVE-2023-23950, was published on January 24, 2023, by Symantec. The vulnerability involves user-supplied input, typically a CRLF sequence, that can be exploited to split a returning response into two separate responses.

Understanding CVE-2023-23950

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-23950 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-23950?

CVE-2023-23950 pertains to a vulnerability where user-supplied input, commonly a CRLF (Carriage Return Line Feed) sequence, can be manipulated to cause a returning response to split into two distinct responses. This could potentially lead to various security issues if exploited maliciously.

The Impact of CVE-2023-23950

The impact of CVE-2023-23950 is significant as it allows threat actors to manipulate input to disrupt the normal response handling mechanism, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or other security breaches within the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-23950

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-23950, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in CVE-2023-23950 arises from the ability of user-supplied input, particularly CRLF sequences, to cause a single response to split into two separate responses, potentially enabling attackers to tamper with the application's response flow.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system in this CVE is the "Symantec Identity Management And Governance" product, specifically versions 14.3, 14.4.1, and 14.4.2. It's crucial for users of these versions to be aware of this vulnerability and take appropriate actions to mitigate the risks.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-23950 involves manipulating the user-supplied input to introduce a CRLF sequence that triggers the response split, allowing attackers to potentially control the flow of responses and exploit the system's vulnerabilities.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-23950 effectively, it is essential to implement immediate steps to reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability and establish long-term security practices to safeguard systems against similar threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using the affected versions should apply patches or updates provided by Symantec promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation of the CVE-2023-23950 vulnerability.
Educate users on safe input practices and potential risks associated with manipulating certain sequences within the system.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust input validation mechanisms to prevent the insertion of malicious sequences that could exploit vulnerabilities like response splitting.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address any underlying vulnerabilities within the system.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from software vendors to proactively address emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Symantec has likely released patches or updates to address CVE-2023-23950. It is imperative for users of the affected product versions to apply these patches as soon as possible to ensure their systems are secure and protected against potential exploits.