CVE-2023-39951 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation prior to version 1.28.0 exhibits a vulnerability where email content is exposed to the telemetry backend for users utilizing the AWS SDK v2 with Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) v1 API. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2023-39951

OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation exposes email content to the telemetry backend when interacting with the AWS SDK v2 and Amazon SES API.

What is CVE-2023-39951?

OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation before version 1.28.0 inadvertently leaks email content to the telemetry backend, compromising user privacy and security.

The Impact of CVE-2023-39951

The vulnerability allows sensitive email content to be exposed to unauthorized actors, potentially leading to data breaches and privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-39951

Discover more technical insights about the vulnerability and how it affects systems and versions.

Vulnerability Description

When SES POST requests are instrumented, the email subject and message content are included in the trace request URL metadata, exposing the email content to unintended audiences.

Affected Systems and Versions

Users of OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation versions prior to 1.28.0 utilizing AWS SDK v2 with Amazon SES v1 API are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The issue arises due to the insertion of query parameters into the trace

url.path

field, resulting in email content being present in trace request URL metadata.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the necessary steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-39951 and safeguard your systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation to version 1.28.0 or later to prevent email content exposure to unauthorized parties.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices and regularly update software components to reduce the risk of information leakage vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches promptly to ensure your systems remain protected from potential threats.