CVE-2023-40235 : What You Need to Know

An NTLM Hash Disclosure vulnerability was discovered in ArchiMate Archi before version 5.1.0. This vulnerability arises when parsing the XMLNS value of an ArchiMate project file, allowing unauthorized access to resources if the namespace does not match the expected ArchiMate URL. If the provided resource is a UNC path pointing to a share server that does not accept a guest account, the host may attempt to authenticate using the current user's session. The root cause of this issue is attributed to Archi's utilization of an unsafe configuration of the Eclipse Modeling Framework.

Understanding CVE-2023-40235

This section provides an overview of the CVE-2023-40235 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-40235?

CVE-2023-40235 refers to an NTLM Hash Disclosure vulnerability in ArchiMate Archi prior to version 5.1.0. It allows unauthorized access to resources due to improper handling of XMLNS values in ArchiMate project files.

The Impact of CVE-2023-40235

The vulnerability enables malicious actors to potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources hosted on a network server, compromising data confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-40235

This section delves into specific technical aspects of the CVE-2023-40235 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when parsing XMLNS values in ArchiMate project files, leading to unauthorized resource access in certain scenarios.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of ArchiMate Archi prior to 5.1.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the XMLNS value in an ArchiMate project file to contain a malicious UNC path, an attacker can potentially trigger the disclosure of NTLM hashes.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-40235.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update ArchiMate Archi to version 5.1.0 or newer to address the NTLM Hash Disclosure vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to project files and network resources can help prevent unauthorized disclosures.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security assessments, and maintaining awareness of emerging vulnerabilities are essential for enhancing long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates provided by the software vendor is crucial to addressing known vulnerabilities and strengthening overall system security.