CVE-2023-32321 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CKAN is an open-source data management system for powering data hubs and data portals. Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in CKAN which may lead to remote code execution. An arbitrary file write in

resource_create

and

package_update

actions, using the

ResourceUploader

object. Also reachable via

package_create

,

package_revise

, and

package_patch

via calls to

package_update

. Remote code execution via unsafe pickle loading, via Beaker's session store when configured to use the file session store backend. Potential DOS due to lack of a length check on the resource id. Information disclosure: A user with permission to create a resource can access any other resource on the system if they know the id, even if they don't have access to it. Resource overwrite: A user with permission to create a resource can overwrite any resource if they know the id, even if they don't have access to it. A user with permissions to create or edit a dataset can upload a resource with a specially crafted id to write the uploaded file in an arbitrary location. This can be leveraged to Remote Code Execution via Beaker's insecure pickle loading. All the above listed vulnerabilities have been fixed in CKAN 2.9.9 and CKAN 2.10.1. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for these issues.

Understanding CVE-2023-32321

CKAN remote code execution and private information access via crafted resource ids.

What is CVE-2023-32321?

CKAN (Comprehensive Knowledge Archive Network) is a popular open-source data management system. The CVE-2023-32321 vulnerability refers to multiple security flaws found in CKAN that could allow attackers to execute remote code. These vulnerabilities include arbitrary file writes in certain actions, potential denial of service attacks, and information disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2023-32321

The impact of CVE-2023-32321 is critical, with a base severity of 'CRITICAL' and a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8. Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, or cause denial of service on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-32321

The following are the technical details of the CVE-2023-32321 vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for remote code execution, arbitrary file writes, potential denial of service, and information disclosure attacks within the CKAN system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include CKAN versions below 2.9.9 and version 2.10.0. Users of these versions are susceptible to the vulnerabilities.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by leveraging the CKAN system's functionalities to create or upload malicious resources with specially crafted IDs, leading to the execution of arbitrary code and other attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial for users and organizations utilizing CKAN to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-32321.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to CKAN version 2.9.9 or 2.10.1 to address and fix the reported vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update CKAN to the latest secure versions to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from CKAN and promptly apply patches and updates to enhance the security posture of your CKAN installations.