CVE-2023-37268 : Security Advisory and Response

Warpgate is a bastion host for Linux that allows SSH, HTTPS, and MySQL access without special client apps. This CVE addresses a vulnerability related to user login confusion with Single Sign-On (SSO) in Warpgate.

Understanding CVE-2023-37268

This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-37268, falls under the category of Improper Authentication (CWE-287) according to the Common Weakness Enumeration.

What is CVE-2023-37268?

Warpgate's SSO implementation allows attackers to authenticate as other users when logging in as a user with SSO enabled. This can lead to unauthorized access to accounts without second-factor authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2023-37268

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity. Attackers with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability to compromise user accounts with high confidentiality and integrity impacts.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-37268

This section dives into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the SSO mechanism in Warpgate, allowing unauthorized access to user accounts without a second-factor authentication requirement. It has been fixed in commit

8173f6512a

and versions starting from 0.7.3.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerable system is the Warpgate bastion host for Linux. Specifically, versions below 0.7.3 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by logging in as a user with SSO enabled and then impersonate other users without second-factor authentication, potentially compromising sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-37268, immediate steps and long-term security practices need to be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest release of Warpgate (version 0.7.3 or higher). If upgrading is not possible, enforcing the use of a second-factor authentication method for all users is recommended.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a multi-factor authentication approach across all user accounts, regularly updating software, and conducting security audits are essential for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

The vulnerability has been addressed in commit

8173f6512a

and in releases starting with version 0.7.3. Users are urged to update to the patched versions to eliminate the risk of unauthorized access.