CVE-2023-40027 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Keystone is an open source headless CMS for Node.js — built with GraphQL and React. The vulnerability, CVE-2023-40027, involves conditionally missing authorization in @keystone-6/core, specifically affecting versions prior to 5.5.1.

Understanding CVE-2023-40027

This section covers the key details and impact of CVE-2023-40027.

What is CVE-2023-40027?

The CVE-2023-40027 vulnerability allows public access to the

adminMeta

GraphQL query in Keystone when

ui.isAccessAllowed

is set as

undefined

. This behavior differs from the default AdminUI middleware, potentially exposing sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-40027

The impact of this vulnerability is that unauthorized users can access

adminMeta

GraphQL query without the necessary session, potentially compromising the security and confidentiality of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-40027

In this section, we delve into the technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

When

ui.isAccessAllowed

is undefined, the

adminMeta

query becomes publicly accessible even without a session, contrary to the expected behavior.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of @keystone-6/core prior to 5.5.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users can exploit this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive

adminMeta

GraphQL query without the need for proper authentication.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-40027, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to @keystone-6/core version 5.5.1 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Alternatively, users unable to upgrade can implement their own

isAccessAllowed

functionality to mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Keystone to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Implement strict access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of software patches and updates provided by Keystone to address known security vulnerabilities.