CVE-2023-25165 : What You Need to Know

This CVE involves an information disclosure vulnerability in the

getHostByName

function within Helm, a tool used for simplifying the installation and management of Kubernetes applications.

Understanding CVE-2023-25165

This vulnerability can potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized actors through the

getHostByName

function in Helm.

What is CVE-2023-25165?

The

getHostByName

function is a template function introduced in Helm v3 that can convert a hostname to an IP address by performing a DNS lookup. When used in certain scenarios, such as during the installation, upgrade, or template rendering of a chart, information passed to the chart can be inadvertently disclosed to DNS servers.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25165

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting the

getHostByName

function into a chart, thereby exposing sensitive data to malicious DNS servers. This could lead to unauthorized access or leakage of confidential information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25165

This vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3, indicating a medium severity level. The attack complexity is low, and the impact on confidentiality is also low. The affected versions of Helm range from >= 3.0.0 to < 3.11.1.

Vulnerability Description

The

getHostByName

function exposes sensitive information to unauthorized actors through DNS lookup.

Affected Systems and Versions

Helm versions >= 3.0.0 and < 3.11.1 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit

getHostByName

to disclose sensitive data to malicious DNS servers, compromising the confidentiality of information.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-25165.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure that the

getHostByName

function is not being used in any templates to avoid disclosing sensitive information.
Upgrade to Helm version 3.11.1 or higher to mitigate this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches released by Helm to stay protected against potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct thorough security assessments of Helm charts before deployment to identify and mitigate any potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches provided by Helm to remediate CVE-2023-25165 and enhance the security of your Kubernetes applications.