CVE-2023-27475 : What You Need to Know

This CVE involves a vulnerability found in the Goutil software package, specifically in version 0.6.0 and earlier versions. Users utilizing the fsutil.Unzip functionality within Goutil may be exposed to a path traversal vulnerability, also known as ZipSlip. This vulnerability has a high severity level with a CVSS base score of 8.8.

Understanding CVE-2023-27475

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-27475, exploring its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-27475?

The CVE-2023-27475 vulnerability affects Goutil, a collection of miscellaneous functionality for the Go language. The specific issue arises when users employ the fsutil.Unzip function to extract zip files, potentially exposing them to path traversal attacks from malicious actors.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27475

The impact of this vulnerability is significant, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. It can allow an attacker to traverse directories outside the intended scope, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files and data within the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27475

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-27475, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Goutil versions prior to 0.6.0 exposes users to path traversal attacks when unzipping files. This improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory can be exploited by attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is the Goutil software package, specifically versions earlier than 0.6.0. Users utilizing the fsutil.Unzip functionality are at risk of path traversal attacks if they do not upgrade to the fixed version.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by crafting malicious zip files that include directory traversal sequences. When these files are extracted using the vulnerable fsutil.Unzip function, the attacker can maneuver outside the intended directory structure, potentially compromising sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2023-27475 is crucial for ensuring the security of systems using the Goutil software package.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to upgrade to Goutil version 0.6.0 or later, where the path traversal vulnerability has been addressed. By updating to the patched version, users can protect their systems from potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, practicing secure coding habits, implementing input validation mechanisms, and staying informed about software vulnerabilities can help prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security advisories and applying updates promptly is essential to maintain the security of software systems. Staying vigilant and proactive in keeping software up to date can help prevent vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-27475 from being exploited.