CVE-2023-28853 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE involves a blind LDAP injection vulnerability in Mastodon's login process, which could allow attackers to extract arbitrary attributes from the LDAP database.

Understanding CVE-2023-28853

This vulnerability in Mastodon allows for a potentially dangerous data leakage through LDAP injection during the login process.

What is CVE-2023-28853?

Mastodon, an open-source social network server, offers LDAP configuration for authentication. However, versions 2.5.0 to 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2 were found to have a security flaw where LDAP queries during login were vulnerable to LDAP injection attacks. This could enable threat actors to extract sensitive information from the LDAP database.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28853

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.7 classified as HIGH severity, this vulnerability could lead to a significant compromise in the confidentiality of data stored in the LDAP database. Attackers with low privileges could exploit this flaw to access critical information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28853

This section will delve into various technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The LDAP injection vulnerability in Mastodon's login process enables attackers to manipulate LDAP queries to retrieve unauthorized data, potentially compromising the confidentiality of the LDAP database.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Mastodon versions between 2.5.0 and 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2. Systems running these versions are susceptible to the blind LDAP injection issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By injecting malicious LDAP query parameters during the login process, threat actors can extract sensitive attributes from the LDAP database, leading to data leakage and potential misuse.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-28853, prompt actions and preventive measures are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using affected Mastodon versions should consider upgrading to versions 3.5.8, 4.0.4, or 4.1.2 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement strict input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent LDAP injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments and audits can help identify and address vulnerabilities like LDAP injections proactively.
Security awareness training for developers can enhance their understanding of secure coding practices to prevent such flaws in the future.

Patching and Updates

Mastodon has released patches in versions 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2 to address the LDAP injection vulnerability. Organizations are advised to apply these updates promptly to secure their systems.