CVE-2023-32721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A stored XSS vulnerability has been discovered in Zabbix web application's Maps element, posing a security risk to affected versions of Zabbix.

Understanding CVE-2023-32721

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-32721 vulnerability, its impacts, technical description, affected systems, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-32721?

CVE-2023-32721 is a stored XSS vulnerability found in the Zabbix web application, specifically in the Maps element, when a URL field is set with spaces before the URL.

The Impact of CVE-2023-32721

The impact of this vulnerability falls under CAPEC-592, affecting the confidentiality and integrity of the system. The severity is rated as HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.6.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-32721

The technical details revolve around the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

A stored XSS has been identified in the Zabbix web application due to improper input validation, specifically in the Maps element when a URL field contains spaces before the URL.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions affected by this vulnerability include Zabbix versions 4.0.0 to 4.0.47, 5.0.0 to 5.0.36, 6.0.0 to 6.0.20, 6.4.0 to 6.4.5, and 7.0.0alpha1 to 7.0.0alpha3.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker inserting malicious scripts into the vulnerable URL field, leading to the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the user's session.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and patching updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Zabbix installations to the patched versions immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, extra caution should be exercised while handling URLs with input validation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and staying updated with security patches are essential for maintaining the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Zabbix has released patched versions for the affected Zabbix versions to address the stored XSS vulnerability. Users are encouraged to apply these updates promptly to safeguard their systems.