CVE-2023-33788 : Security Advisory and Response

A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Netbox v3.5.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts via a crafted payload.

Understanding CVE-2023-33788

Netbox v3.5.1 is susceptible to a stored XSS vulnerability that enables attackers to run malicious web scripts by injecting a specially crafted payload into the Name field.

What is CVE-2023-33788?

CVE-2023-33788 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the Create Providers function (/circuits/providers/) of Netbox v3.5.1. This security flaw allows threat actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML by inserting a malicious payload into the Name field.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33788

This vulnerability could result in an attacker gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromising user sessions, defacing websites, or redirecting users to malicious sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33788

The following technical aspects need to be understood about CVE-2023-33788:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the Name field, enabling malicious scripts to be stored and executed on the target system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Netbox v3.5.1 is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, although other versions may also be at risk due to similar code structures or functionalities.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting a crafted payload into the Name field of the Create Providers function within the Netbox application.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-33788 and enhance overall security, the following steps can be taken:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable input fields that are not required or have the potential for abuse.
Implement input validation techniques to sanitize and filter user-supplied data.
Regularly review and update security configurations.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Educate developers and administrators about secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Netbox is updated to the latest version with security patches applied to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.