CVE-2023-25160 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-25160 relates to an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) Vulnerability found in Nextcloud Mail application. This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass authorization through user-controlled keys, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the mailbox content.

Understanding CVE-2023-25160

The vulnerability exists in versions of Nextcloud Mail prior to 2.2.1, 1.14.5, 1.12.9, and 1.11.8, enabling attackers to view subjects and the initial characters of emails in the mailbox.

What is CVE-2023-25160?

CVE-2023-25160, also known as an IDOR Vulnerability, allows attackers to access sensitive information in the Nextcloud Mail application by exploiting a flaw in the authorization process. This can result in unauthorized access to mailbox content.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25160

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium with a CVSS base score of 4.1. While the attack complexity is low, an attacker would require network access and user interaction to exploit the vulnerability. Confidentiality is rated as low, integrity impact is none, and availability impact is non-existent.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25160

The vulnerability description highlights the issue of unauthorized access to mailbox content. It affects Nextcloud Mail versions below 2.2.1, 1.14.5, 1.12.9, and 1.11.8.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to access mailbox data, including subjects and initial email content, without proper authorization, potentially leading to exposure of sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nextcloud Mail versions impacted include:

Version < 1.11.8
Version >= 1.12.0, < 1.12.9
Version >= 1.13.0, < 1.14.5
Version >= 2.0.0, < 2.2.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating user-controlled keys to bypass authorization checks and gain unauthorized access to the mailbox content.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-25160, immediate steps should be taken by affected users to mitigate the risk and prevent unauthorized access to mailbox content.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to the latest version of Nextcloud Mail, specifically Mail 2.2.1 for Nextcloud 25, Mail 1.14.5 for Nextcloud 22-24, Mail 1.12.9 for Nextcloud 21, or Mail 1.11.8 for Nextcloud 20 to receive the necessary patch and fix the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong authentication mechanisms, regular security updates, and access control policies can enhance the security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security updates and patches provided by Nextcloud Mail is crucial to mitigate the risk of exploitation and ensure the security of the mailbox application.