CVE-2023-26291 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-26291 was published by Forcepoint on March 29, 2023. It is related to an 'Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation' vulnerability, also known as 'Cross-site Scripting' (XSS) affecting Forcepoint Cloud Security Gateway and Forcepoint Web Security Portal.

Understanding CVE-2023-26291

This CVE identifies a potential security risk in Forcepoint's Cloud Security Gateway (CSG) Portal and Forcepoint Web Security Portal due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to a reflected XSS vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-26291?

The CVE-2023-26291 vulnerability refers to the inability of Forcepoint Cloud Security Gateway (CSG) Portal and Forcepoint Web Security Portal to properly neutralize user input during web page generation. This oversight results in a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, which can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in a victim's browser.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26291

The impact of CVE-2023-26291 is rated as 'MEDIUM' severity with a CVSS base score of 6.1. This vulnerability requires user interaction and can lead to unauthorized script execution, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user data. The attack vector is through the network, with low attack complexity and no privileges required.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26291

This section provides more detailed insights into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to the improper handling of user input in the 'login_form.mhtml' modules of Forcepoint Cloud Security Gateway (CSG) Portal and Forcepoint Web Security Portal. Attackers can exploit this flaw to inject and execute malicious scripts, leading to a reflected XSS scenario.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include Cloud Security Gateway (CSG) and Web Security by Forcepoint. The vulnerability impacts versions of these products released before March 29, 2023.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger the vulnerability by crafting a malicious link or injecting malicious code into input fields that, when processed by the affected portals, gets executed in the context of a user's session, potentially disclosing sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-26291 and enhance the security posture of affected systems, organizations and users are advised to take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should update their Forcepoint Cloud Security Gateway (CSG) Portal and Forcepoint Web Security Portal to versions released after March 29, 2023, to mitigate the vulnerability.
Users should be cautious of clicking on suspicious links or providing sensitive information on websites that may be compromised.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments, testing, and code reviews can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Security awareness training for users can prevent successful exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities through social engineering tactics.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software and web applications are regularly updated with the latest security patches and fixes provided by Forcepoint to prevent XSS vulnerabilities and other security risks.