CVE-2023-29401 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in the GitHub library gin-gonic/gin that could allow an attacker to manipulate the Content-Disposition HTTP header by exploiting improperly sanitized filenames.

Understanding CVE-2023-29401

This CVE involves the improper handling of filenames in the Content-Disposition HTTP header in github.com/gin-gonic/gin.

What is CVE-2023-29401?

The filename parameter of the Context.FileAttachment function is not properly sanitized, allowing an attacker to craft malicious filenames that can modify the Content-Disposition header. This can lead to unexpected filename values being sent or headers being altered.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29401

If the FileAttachment function is called with names from untrusted sources, an attacker could serve files with different names than provided. By exploiting this vulnerability, a maliciously crafted attachment filename can manipulate the Content-Disposition header.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29401

This section covers the specific technical details of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the improper sanitization of filenames in the Context.FileAttachment function, allowing for header manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system is github.com/gin-gonic/gin with versions 1.3.1-0.20190301021747-ccb9e902956d up to version 1.9.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting filenames to manipulate the Content-Disposition header during file attachment.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-29401 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Developers should update to version 1.9.1 of github.com/gin-gonic/gin to mitigate this vulnerability. Avoid using filenames from untrusted sources in the Context.FileAttachment function.

Long-Term Security Practices

Ensure proper input validation across the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Regularly update libraries to patched versions.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the GitHub links provided for more information on the patch and release versions.