CVE-2023-26268 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves an information sharing vulnerability in Apache CouchDB and IBM Cloudant, where design documents with matching document IDs from databases on the same cluster may share a mutable JavaScript environment, leading to potential risks.

Understanding CVE-2023-26268

This section will provide an overview of the CVE-2023-26268 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-26268?

The vulnerability in Apache CouchDB and IBM Cloudant allows design documents with matching document IDs to utilize a shared mutable JavaScript environment. This could result in unauthorized information sharing and potential security breaches.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26268

The impact of CVE-2023-26268 is considered medium severity, with a CVSS base score of 4.4. While the confidentiality and integrity impacts are low, the attack complexity is high, requiring user interaction and a low level of privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26268

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

Design documents with matching IDs from databases on the same cluster can share a mutable JavaScript environment, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Apache CouchDB versions up to 3.3.1 are affected.
IBM Cloudant versions less than or equal to 8349 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

By utilizing specific design document functions like

validate_doc_update

,

list

,

filter

,

filter views

,

rewrite

, and

update

, malicious actors can exploit the shared JavaScript environment vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2023-26268 vulnerability, safeguarding systems and data from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to upgrade to a version that is no longer affected by this issue. For Apache CouchDB, versions 3.3.2 or 3.2.3 are recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance long-term security, it is crucial to avoid using design documents from untrusted sources that may attempt to store data in the JavaScript environment. Implementing strict controls on document sharing can help mitigate risks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating software to the latest patched versions, monitoring for security advisories, and conducting security audits can help in maintaining a secure environment and preventing potential vulnerabilities.

By addressing the CVE-2023-26268 vulnerability promptly and following best security practices, organizations can ensure the protection of their systems and data from potential exploitation.