CVE-2023-27476 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves a XML External Entity (XXE) Injection vulnerability in OWSLib, a Python package for client programming with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) web service interface standards, impacting versions below 0.28.1.

Understanding CVE-2023-27476

This vulnerability in OWSLib's XML parser could allow an attacker to perform arbitrary file reads through a specially crafted XML payload, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

What is CVE-2023-27476?

The CVE-2023-27476 relates to an XXE Injection vulnerability in OWSLib, where the XML parser does not disable entity resolution, enabling attackers to exploit the XML parsing functionality to read arbitrary files.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27476

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS base score of 8.2. It poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of data processed by the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27476

This section dives deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper restriction of XML External Entity Reference in the XML parser of OWSLib, allowing threat actors to manipulate XML data to access unauthorized files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: geopython
Product: OWSLib
Affected Versions: Versions prior to 0.28.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious XML payloads that leverage the entity resolution feature of the XML parser to read sensitive files on the targeted system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-27476 and enhance system security, users and administrators are advised to take the following actions:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade OWSLib to version 0.28.1 or newer that mitigates the XXE vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques in applications utilizing OWSLib to prevent malicious XML inputs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and apply security patches and updates for all software dependencies to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate security weaknesses proactively.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches provided by the software vendor to protect against known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of the system.