CVE-2023-28483 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE, published on August 14, 2023, highlights a security issue discovered in Tigergraph Enterprise 3.7.0. The vulnerability allows users to write data to files on a remote TigerGraph server, potentially allowing unauthorized access and manipulation of files due to a bypass in configuration settings.

Understanding CVE-2023-28483

In this section, we will delve into what CVE-2023-28483 entails and its potential implications for systems running TigerGraph Enterprise 3.7.0.

What is CVE-2023-28483?

The vulnerability in Tigergraph Enterprise 3.7.0 allows users to write data to files on a remote server by bypassing configuration settings. Specifically, GSQL queries that contain User-Defined Functions (UDFs) can exploit this issue, potentially leading to unauthorized file modifications.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28483

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can potentially allow malicious actors to write data to any file location on the server that the administrative user has access to. This could result in data leakage, tampering, or unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28483

Here, we will discuss the technical aspects related to CVE-2023-28483, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the GSQL query language in TigerGraph Enterprise 3.7.0, which circumvents the GSQL.FileOutputPolicy configuration setting. This allows users, through UDFs, to write data to any file location accessible to the administrative user, irrespective of the configured settings.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects TigerGraph Enterprise 3.7.0. It is crucial for organizations using this specific version to be aware of this issue and take necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging UDFs within GSQL queries, threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to write data to unauthorized file locations on the remote TigerGraph server. This can lead to unauthorized data manipulation and compromise the integrity of the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we will discuss steps that organizations can take to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-28483 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should consider restricting access to the GSQL query language based on user roles to prevent unauthorized file writing.
Regularly monitor and audit file write activities on TigerGraph servers to detect any suspicious behavior that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a least privilege access control policy to limit the actions users can perform using GSQL queries.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in TigerGraph deployments.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by TigerGraph for addressing CVE-2023-28483.
Promptly apply patches and updates to the TigerGraph Enterprise 3.7.0 version to remediate the vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the system.