CVE-2023-41265 : What You Need to Know

A critical HTTP Request Tunneling vulnerability has been discovered in Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows, affecting multiple versions and allowing remote attackers to elevate their privileges. Learn more about this security issue and how to mitigate it.

Understanding CVE-2023-41265

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-41265 vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-41265?

CVE-2023-41265 is an HTTP Request Tunneling vulnerability found in Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows. It permits a remote attacker to escalate their privilege by tunneling HTTP requests in the raw HTTP communication, enabling them to execute requests on the backend server hosting the repository application.

The Impact of CVE-2023-41265

The vulnerability poses a critical security risk, with a CVSS base score of 9.6 (Critical). Attackers can exploit this flaw to access sensitive data, compromise system integrity, and possibly disrupt services without needing user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-41265

This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-41265 vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to escalate their privileges by leveraging HTTP request tunneling in the raw communication protocol of Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows.

Affected Systems and Versions

Qlik Sense Enterprise for Windows versions May 2023 Patch 3 and earlier, February 2023 Patch 7 and earlier, November 2022 Patch 10 and earlier, and August 2022 Patch 12 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By utilizing HTTP request tunneling, attackers can bypass security controls and execute malicious requests on the backend server, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and service disruptions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems from CVE-2023-41265, immediate action and long-term security measures are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the security patches provided by Qlik in August 2023 IR, May 2023 Patch 4, February 2023 Patch 8, November 2022 Patch 11, and August 2022 Patch 13.
Implement network-level protections to detect and block malicious HTTP requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address any known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration tests to proactively identify and remediate weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates released by Qlik to ensure timely mitigation of vulnerabilities.