CVE-2023-28154 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record was published on March 13, 2023, by MITRE. It pertains to a vulnerability in Webpack 5 before version 5.76.0 that allows unauthorized access to cross-realm objects, specifically due to mishandling of the magic comment feature in ImportParserPlugin.js. An attacker with control over a property of an untrusted object can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to the actual global object.

Understanding CVE-2023-28154

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-28154, outlining the vulnerability's nature and impact.

What is CVE-2023-28154?

The vulnerability in Webpack 5 before 5.76.0 enables unauthorized access to cross-realm objects. The issue arises from how ImportParserPlugin.js handles the magic comment feature, allowing attackers to manipulate untrusted object properties to gain access to the real global object.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28154

CVE-2023-28154 poses a significant security risk as it can be exploited by attackers to access sensitive information across realms by leveraging the mishandling of the magic comment feature in Webpack 5.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28154

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Webpack 5 before 5.76.0 allows attackers to exploit a flaw in ImportParserPlugin.js, enabling unauthorized access to cross-realm objects.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include Webpack 5 versions prior to 5.76.0. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by controlling a property of an untrusted object, manipulating it to gain access to the real global object, thereby bypassing security measures.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28154, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching recommendations should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Webpack 5 installations to version 5.76.0 or newer to address the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access to cross-realm objects.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular software updates, secure coding practices, and ongoing security assessments to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-28154.

Patching and Updates

Frequent monitoring of security advisories and promptly applying patches provided by Webpack is essential to maintain a secure software environment and prevent potential exploitation of known vulnerabilities.