CVE-2023-26567 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record relates to a security vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26567, which affects Sangoma FreePBX versions 1805 through 2302 when acquired as an ISO file. The vulnerability involves the exposure of cleartext authentication credentials for the Asterisk Database (MariaDB/MySQL) and Asterisk Manager Interface due to the inclusion of sensitive information in the list of global variables. This exposure could potentially allow attackers to access these credentials through certain API calls.

Understanding CVE-2023-26567

This section delves deeper into the details of CVE-2023-26567, shedding light on its nature, impact, technical specifics, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-26567?

CVE-2023-26567 is a security vulnerability found in Sangoma FreePBX versions 1805 through 2302 when the software is procured as an ISO file. It involves the inadvertent exposure of critical authentication credentials like AMPDBUSER, AMPDBPASS, AMPMGRUSER, and AMPMGRPASS, thus posing a significant security risk to the affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-26567

The exposure of cleartext authentication credentials for the Asterisk Database and Asterisk Manager Interface in Sangoma FreePBX versions 1805 through 2302 can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential system compromise, and unauthorized manipulation of the affected systems by malicious actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-26567

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-26567, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the mechanisms through which exploitation can occur.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Sangoma FreePBX versions 1805 through 2302, when obtained as an ISO file, allows for the exposure of critical authentication credentials in cleartext format, including AMPDBUSER, AMPDBPASS, AMPMGRUSER, and AMPMGRPASS. This exposure can be exploited by malicious entities to compromise the security of the affected systems.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Sangoma FreePBX versions 1805 through 2302 that are acquired as .ISO files. The specific versions of Sangoma FreePBX mentioned are susceptible to the security risk posed by the exposed authentication credentials.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the CVE-2023-26567 vulnerability by making specific API calls, such as the /ari/asterisk/variable?variable=AMPDBPASS call, to retrieve the exposed authentication credentials from the global variables list. This exploitation can lead to unauthorized access and potential compromise of the Asterisk Database and Manager Interface.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-26567, immediate actions, long-term security practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using affected Sangoma FreePBX versions 1805 through 2302 should ensure that sensitive authentication credentials are not exposed and take immediate measures to secure these credentials.
Implement access controls and restrict unauthorized API calls that could potentially exploit the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that may indicate attempts to exploit the exposed credentials.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and address any potential security gaps within the system.
Provide security awareness training to users to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity best practices.

Patching and Updates

Sangoma FreePBX users should prioritize applying security patches and updates released by the vendor to address the CVE-2023-26567 vulnerability.
Regularly check for software updates and patches from Sangoma to stay protected against emerging security threats and vulnerabilities.