CVE-2023-27486 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned on March 1, 2023, and published on March 8, 2023, pertains to an insufficient authorization validation issue in xCAT software, specifically related to the interaction between zones in xCAT when enabled.

Understanding CVE-2023-27486

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1, indicating a high severity level with high confidentiality and integrity impacts.

What is CVE-2023-27486?

In xCAT versions prior to 2.16.5, if zones are configured to secure clusters, a local root user from one node can potentially obtain credentials to SSH to any node in any zone, excluding the management node of the default zone. This vulnerability affects users who utilize the optional zone feature and all versions of xCAT before 2.16.5.

The Impact of CVE-2023-27486

The vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information and compromise the integrity of the affected systems, posing a significant risk to the security of the clusters managed by xCAT.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-27486

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from inadequate validation between zones in xCAT, enabling unauthorized users to potentially escalate their privileges and access nodes within different zones.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: xcat2
Product: xcat-core
Affected Versions: All versions prior to 2.16.5

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the insufficient authorization validation between zones in xCAT, a local root user in one node can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to nodes in other zones.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for organizations using xCAT with zones enabled to take immediate actions to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-27486.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to xCAT version 2.16.5, where the problem has been addressed.
If upgrading is not feasible, consider disabling zones or patching the management node with the fix provided in commit

85149c37f49

.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access control measures, regular security assessments, and stay informed about security updates and patches for xCAT to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security advisories from xCAT and promptly apply patches and updates to ensure the overall security posture of the cluster environment is maintained at a high level.