CVE-2023-34103 : Security Advisory and Response

Avo is an open source ruby on rails admin panel creation framework. In affected versions some avo fields are vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) when rendering html based content. Attackers do need form edit privilege in order to successfully exploit this vulnerability, but the results are stored and no specific timing is required. This issue has been addressed in commit

7891c01e

which is expected to be included in the next release of avo. Users are advised to configure CSP headers for their application and to limit untrusted user access as a mitigation.

Understanding CVE-2023-34103

Stored XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) in html content based fields of Avo

What is CVE-2023-34103?

The CVE-2023-34103 vulnerability affects Avo, a ruby on rails admin panel creation framework. In certain versions, specific Avo fields are susceptible to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) when processing html content. This vulnerability allows attackers with form edit privilege to execute malicious scripts, posing a risk to confidentiality and integrity.

The Impact of CVE-2023-34103

The impact of CVE-2023-34103 is rated as HIGH. The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.3, indicating significant risk to confidentiality and integrity. It requires low privileges from the attacker, but user interaction is necessary for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-34103

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability (CWE-79) in Avo arises from improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in html content based fields. Attackers can exploit this issue to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

Avo versions <= 2.33.2 and >= 3.0.0.pre1, <= 3.0.0.pre12 are affected by CVE-2023-34103. Users with these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-34103, attackers need form edit privilege within Avo to inject malicious scripts into html content fields. Once successful, the impact on confidentiality and integrity can be severe.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to update to the latest release of Avo that includes the fix for this vulnerability. Additionally, configuring Content Security Policy (CSP) headers for the application can help prevent XSS attacks. Limiting access to untrusted users is also recommended to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, developers should prioritize secure coding practices, such as input validation and output encoding, to prevent XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews are essential to identify and address potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Avo installations are kept up to date with the latest patches and security updates. Regularly check for advisories and security notices from the Avo project to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and their fixes.