CVE-2023-33949 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Liferay Portal and DXP versions are affected by a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to create accounts using fake or unverified email addresses.

Understanding CVE-2023-33949

This CVE highlights a security issue in Liferay Portal and DXP versions that can be exploited by attackers to bypass email verification.

What is CVE-2023-33949?

In Liferay Portal 7.3.0 and earlier, along with Liferay DXP 7.2 and earlier, the default configuration permits users to register using unverified email addresses, leading to potential security breaches.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33949

This vulnerability could result in unauthorized user registrations, posing risks of fraudulent activities and unauthorized access to the portal.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33949

This section delves into the specific details of the vulnerability affecting Liferay Portal and DXP versions.

Vulnerability Description

The default configuration in the affected versions allows users to create accounts without verifying their email addresses, enabling malicious actors to exploit this gap.

Affected Systems and Versions

Liferay Portal versions up to 7.3.0 and Liferay DXP versions up to 7.3.10 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can take advantage of the lack of email verification requirement to register accounts with fake or uncontrolled email addresses, potentially compromising the system's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-33949, immediate actions and long-term security practices should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Administrators should ensure that the portal property

company.security.strangers.verify

is set to true to enforce email address verification for account registration.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular monitoring of user registrations, implementing multi-factor authentication, and security audits can enhance the overall security posture and prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Users are advised to update to the latest patched versions of Liferay Portal and DXP to address this vulnerability and strengthen the security of their systems.