CVE-2023-30576 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of the CVE-2023-30576 vulnerability affecting Apache Guacamole.

Understanding CVE-2023-30576

This section focuses on the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps related to the CVE-2023-30576 vulnerability in Apache Guacamole.

What is CVE-2023-30576?

CVE-2023-30576 is a use-after-free vulnerability found in Apache Guacamole versions 0.9.10 through 1.5.1. It may lead to the execution of arbitrary code with guacd process privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-30576

The vulnerability's CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.8 (Medium severity). It has a high impact on confidentiality and integrity, with low privileges required for exploitation. If successful, an attacker can execute arbitrary code.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-30576

Vulnerability Description

Apache Guacamole versions 0.9.10 through 1.5.1 may reference a freed RDP audio input buffer, potentially enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary code with guacd process privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Apache Guacamole versions 0.9.10 through 1.5.1, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.8.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows an attacker to reference a freed RDP audio input buffer, exploiting timing issues to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the guacd process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Apache Guacamole to a version that includes the fix for CVE-2023-30576. Be cautious of potential exploitation attempts post-disclosure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ strong security measures and ongoing monitoring to prevent and detect similar vulnerabilities in Apache Guacamole and other software components.

Patching and Updates

Update Apache Guacamole to versions that have addressed the use-after-free vulnerability to mitigate the risk of exploitation.