CVE-2023-25841 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-25841 is related to a stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability in Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.8.1 – 11.0 on both Windows and Linux platforms. This vulnerability may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to create crafted content that, when clicked, could potentially execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim’s browser.

Understanding CVE-2023-25841

This section will provide an in-depth understanding of the CVE-2023-25841 vulnerability, including its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-25841?

The CVE-2023-25841 refers to a stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability found in Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.8.1 – 11.0 on Windows and Linux platforms. This vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim’s browser without authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25841

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to manipulate content that, when interacted with by a user, can execute malicious scripts in their browser. This could lead to various consequences, including data theft, unauthorized access, and potentially further exploitation of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25841

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-25841 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves improper neutralization of input during web page generation ('Cross-site Scripting') in Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.8.1 – 11.0. This flaw enables attackers to inject and execute malicious JavaScript code in the victim's browser, posing a serious security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

Esri ArcGIS Server versions 10.8.1 – 11.0 on both Windows and Linux platforms are affected by this stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating specially crafted content that, when clicked by users, triggers the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in their browsers. This can lead to unauthorized access and potential compromise of sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-25841 vulnerability, it is crucial to implement immediate mitigation steps and adopt long-term security practices to prevent future exploits.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable anonymous access to ArcGIS Feature services with edit capabilities to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update software patches provided by the vendor to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Esri has released a security update to address the stored Cross-site Scripting vulnerability in ArcGIS Server versions 10.8.1 – 11.0. Organizations using the affected versions are advised to apply the patch promptly to secure their systems against potential attacks.