CVE-2023-41893 : Security Advisory and Response

A critical vulnerability has been discovered in Home Assistant Core that allows attackers to take over accounts through the auth_callback login method.

Understanding CVE-2023-41893

This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2023-41893, exposes sensitive information to unauthorized actors, potentially leading to account takeover.

What is CVE-2023-41893?

Home Assistant Core, an open-source home automation platform, allows an attacker to manipulate a user into providing access to their account by altering the

redirect_uri

and

client_id

parameters during login.

The Impact of CVE-2023-41893

If exploited, an attacker could gain access to a user's account by tricking them into authenticating via a manipulated link, leading to potential misuse of the account and its associated data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-41893

The vulnerability in Home Assistant Core version below 2023.9.0 allows attackers to alter specific parameters during the authentication process, enabling the extraction of sensitive information and compromising user accounts.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the ability to manipulate the

redirect_uri

and

client_id

parameters during login, leading to the eventual retrieval of the

access_token

and unauthorized account access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Home Assistant
Product: Core
Affected Version: < 2023.9.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted link with altered parameters to the victim, tricking them into authenticating and revealing the necessary tokens for unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users are strongly advised to take immediate action to protect their systems and data from potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to version 2023.9.0 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Home Assistant Core to stay protected against emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Always apply security patches and updates promptly to ensure the latest security measures are in place.