CVE-2023-28636 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-28636 involves a vulnerability in GLPI, a free asset and IT management software package, that allows an administrator to create a malicious external link. This vulnerability affects versions starting from 0.60 and continues up to versions 9.5.13 and 10.0.7.

Understanding CVE-2023-28636

This section dives into what CVE-2023-28636 entails, its impacts, technical details, and how to mitigate and prevent potential exploitation.

What is CVE-2023-28636?

The CVE-2023-28636 vulnerability in GLPI arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically leading to stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in external links.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28636

With a CVSSv3 base score of 4.5 (medium severity), this vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality due to the potential for an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of an admin user.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28636

Understanding the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-28636 vulnerability helps in comprehending how it can be exploited and the systems it affects.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a malicious admin user to craft harmful external links, potentially leading to stored Cross-site Scripting attacks within the GLPI software environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products are from the glpi-project. Versions ranging from >= 0.60 to < 9.5.13 and >= 10.0.0 to < 10.0.7 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

A threat actor with high privileges can leverage this vulnerability to embed malicious scripts within external links, impacting the confidentiality of sensitive information within GLPI instances.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices can help mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-28636.

Immediate Steps to Take

Administrators should update GLPI to patched versions 9.5.13 or 10.0.7 to eliminate the vulnerability and protect against potential exploit attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating software, monitoring for new vulnerabilities, and educating system administrators on secure coding practices can enhance overall security posture and prevent similar XSS vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the official GLPI releases tagged with versions 9.5.13 and 10.0.7 on GitHub to download and apply the necessary patches to safeguard against CVE-2023-28636.