CVE-2023-26483 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves the vulnerability in gosaml2, a Pure Go implementation of SAML 2.0 that leaves SAML Service Providers using this library susceptible to Denial of Service attacks through a deflate decompression bomb.

Understanding CVE-2023-26483

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-26483 vulnerability in gosaml2.

What is CVE-2023-26483?

The vulnerability in gosaml2 allows attackers to craft a

deflate

-compressed request that consumes significantly more memory during processing than the original request size. This could lead to memory exhaustion and potentially result in the termination of the affected process. The issue arises due to improper handling of highly compressed data, making the system vulnerable to a Denial of Service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26483

The impact of CVE-2023-26483 is rated as MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 5.3. While the attack complexity is low and the availability impact is also low, it can still pose risks to systems using gosaml2 for SAML authentication.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26483

This section provides technical insights into the CVE-2023-26483 vulnerability in gosaml2.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a bug in the gosaml2 library that allows attackers to exploit a deflate decompression bomb, leading to memory exhaustion and potential process termination.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the gosaml2 library with versions prior to 0.9.0. Systems using versions older than 0.9.0 are at risk of being targeted by Denial of Service attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting compressed requests that consume excessive memory during processing, overwhelming the system and potentially causing it to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-26483 vulnerability and enhance system security, certain mitigation and prevention measures can be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade gosaml2 to version 0.9.0 or higher to ensure the vulnerability is patched.
Implement rate and concurrency limitations to mitigate the risk of Denial of Service attacks.
Monitor system memory usage closely to detect any abnormal spikes that could indicate an attack in progress.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update libraries and dependencies to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security testing, including vulnerability assessments, to identify and address potential weaknesses in the system.
Educate developers and administrators on best practices for secure coding and configuration to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

The vulnerability is fixed in gosaml2 version 0.9.0. It is crucial to apply the latest patches and updates provided by the vendor to ensure robust security and protection against potential threats.