CVE-2023-25557 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in DataHub, an open-source metadata platform.

Understanding CVE-2023-25557

This vulnerability, identified as GHSA-5w2h-q83m-65xg, allows external users to reroute requests from the DataHub Frontend to any arbitrary hosts, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data exposure.

What is CVE-2023-25557?

DataHub acts as a proxy forwarding REST or GraphQL requests to the backend. The issue lies in the proxy not properly constructing URLs when forwarding data to the DataHub Metadata Store (GMS), enabling attackers to redirect requests to other servers, thus compromising the system's integrity.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25557

The vulnerability poses a high severity threat, with a CVSS base score of 7.5 and confidentiality impact rated as high. Attackers exploiting this flaw could reroute requests and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data within affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25557

This section explores the specific details of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and the mechanism by which it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in DataHub's proxy allows attackers to manipulate requests, redirecting them to unauthorized external hosts, leading to potential data breaches and unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is DataHub with versions prior to 0.8.45. Systems running these versions are at risk of exploitation if not promptly addressed.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the URL construction in the DataHub frontend proxy, attackers can reroute requests intended for the backend to malicious external hosts, compromising the system's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-25557, immediate steps should be taken to secure affected systems and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update DataHub to version 0.8.45 or newer to address the SSRF vulnerability.
Implement robust access controls and authentication mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access.
Regularly monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate users and administrators on best practices for handling sensitive data and avoiding SSRF attacks.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from DataHub to promptly address any future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

DataHub users are strongly advised to apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly. Keeping software up to date with the latest security fixes is crucial in maintaining a secure environment and protecting against potential threats.