CVE-2023-33846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed analysis of the IBM CVE-2023-33846 focusing on the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-33846

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2023-33846 vulnerability affecting IBM products.

What is CVE-2023-33846?

The CVE-2023-33846 vulnerability pertains to IBM TXSeries for Multiplatforms, CICS TX Standard, and CICS TX Advanced. These products are susceptible to cross-site scripting, enabling threat actors to inject JavaScript code into the Web UI. This unauthorized code injection can manipulate the system's behavior, potentially exposing sensitive credentials during a trusted session.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33846

The vulnerability poses a medium risk with a CVSS base score of 5.4. It has a low attack complexity and requires user interaction, making it crucial for organizations to address to prevent credential disclosure and integrity compromises.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33846

This section provides insights into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-33846 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The CWE-79 vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to cross-site scripting. Threat actors exploit this flaw to insert malicious JavaScript code, compromising the security of IBM products.

Affected Systems and Versions

IBM products including TXSeries for Multiplatforms versions 8.1, 8.2, 9.1, CICS TX Standard version 11.1, and CICS TX Advanced versions 10.1 and 11.1 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the Web UI of the affected IBM products. This manipulation can alter system behavior and potentially disclose sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-33846 vulnerability, organizations should undertake immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to enhance system resilience and protect against such threats.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations are advised to apply security patches provided by IBM promptly. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms can mitigate the risk of cross-site scripting attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Enhancing developer awareness on secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments can fortify the defense against cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Continuous monitoring and timely updates are essential to safeguard IBM products from evolving threats.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring IBM security advisories and promptly applying patches released by IBM is crucial to address known vulnerabilities and ensure the security of the affected products.