CVE-2023-25156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in Kiwi TCMS, an open-source test management system, that exposes users to potential brute-force attacks on the login page in versions prior to 12.0. This CVE, assigned on February 15, 2023, with a CVSS base score of 7.5, poses a high impact on availability.

Understanding CVE-2023-25156

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-25156, highlighting the vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-25156?

CVE-2023-25156 points out a flaw in Kiwi TCMS versions earlier than 12.0, where the system fails to impose rate limits, making it susceptible to brute-force attacks on the login page. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25156

The vulnerability's impact is classified as high severity with a base score of 7.5. It affects the availability of the Kiwi TCMS system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25156

This section provides deeper insights into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-25156, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of rate limits in Kiwi TCMS versions prior to 12.0, facilitating brute-force attacks on the login page and compromising system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Kiwi TCMS versions lower than 12.0 are impacted by this vulnerability. Users running these versions are at risk of brute-force attacks and unauthorized access.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the absence of rate limits in Kiwi TCMS versions prior to 12.0 to launch brute-force attacks on the login page, potentially gaining unauthorized entry into the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating CVE-2023-25156 involves taking immediate steps to address the vulnerability and implementing long-term security practices to safeguard against such threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to Kiwi TCMS version 12.0 or later to receive a patch that addresses the vulnerability. Alternatively, they can install and configure a rate-limiting proxy in front of Kiwi TCMS as a temporary workaround.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance security posture, organizations should implement comprehensive security measures such as regular security updates, vulnerability assessments, and user access controls to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and staying up to date with the latest releases of Kiwi TCMS is crucial in mitigating vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-25156 and ensuring the integrity and security of the system.